Eric J. Byrne
Question:300. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding student grants. [9463/14]
View answerTuesday, 25 February 2014
Questions (300)
Written answers
In order to meet the eligibility criteria for a grant a student must be attending an approved course as defined under Article 4 (c) of the Student Support Regulations 2013 and Section 7 (1) (e) of the Student Support Act 2011.
Regulation 4 (c) of the Student Support Regulations 2013 defines an approved undergraduate course as one which must be full-time, at least two years in duration, lead to a higher education award and must be pursued in an approved institution.
Section 7 (1) (e) of the Student Support Act 2011 defines an approved institution as an institution which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds. The college which the student is attending does not meet the definition of an approved institution as defined in the Student Support Act 2011. I understand that SUSI is currently reviewing courses in this institution to ascertain eligibility under the Student Grant Scheme.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the appeals officer in SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. The relevant appeal form is available to download from http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1375344221/2013_SGAB_appeal_form.pdf