Seán Sherlock
Question:695. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine a refusal to award a SUSI grant to a person (details supplied). [36980/22]
View answerTuesday, 12 July 2022
Questions (695)
Written answers
The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
As per Article 15(10)(c ) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, grant aid for postgraduate study shall be limited to a maximum of four years in total and account is taken of all previous attendance and attainment at postgraduate level when considering grant aid entitlement for postgraduate study, regardless of whether a person previously received a grant or not.
With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student outlined by the Deputy submitted an application to SUSI in September 2021 for the 2021/2022 academic year for year 2 of a Level 10 postgraduate course. According to information provided by the student on the application form and through information sharing with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) it was determined that the student had previous postgraduate academic attendance and attainment which exceeded the maximum period of study allowed to be eligible for grant assistance under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 and a letter of ineligibility was issued. In a call to the SUSI Support Desk on 6th October 2021, the student was advised of the appeals process. During subsequent calls to the SUSI Support Desk on 16th December 2021 and 31st January 2022, the student was advised to request an internal review if there was any additional or new information regarding the application. The student did not avail of the right to appeal to SUSI within the required timeframe and to date no request for an internal review has been received.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.