Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that students attending an undergraduate course in a university (details supplied) are not eligible for Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant support; if he is giving consideration to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48497/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved full time courses in other EU Member States and in the UK including approved full-time undergraduate courses in the institution referred to by the Deputy.
In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State or the UK.
The Student Grant Scheme does not, and never has, extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland. Funding under the Free Fees Initiative is only available in respect of approved courses within the State.
The Student Grant Scheme is currently targeted at full-time students. Courses that are part-time, less than two years in duration, undertaken online or as distance courses, or which lead to a special purpose or distance award, are not currently approved for the Student Grant Scheme.
