Jackie Cahill
Ceist:380. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a SUSI rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 April 2018
Ceisteanna (380)
Freagraí scríofa
Very significant numbers of third-level students move out of home to go to college and continue to be supported by their parents while in full-time education. The purpose of the Student Grant Scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.
Under the Student Grant Scheme, an applicant's class is defined at his/her first point of entry to an approved higher or further education course and this will continue to apply for the duration of his/her studies.
The re-entry provision of the scheme allows mature students who have previously attended an approved course and are now entering an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, to have their status reclassified from dependent to independent student.
The duration of the break in studies required for re-classification, increased from one year to three years for the 2010/11 academic year. Under previous schemes students could be re-classified as mature students following a break of only one year. However, this was being used in some cases as a "gap year" by students whose parents' income was too high to qualify for a grant, to return after one year and resume their studies at postgraduate level, qualifying for support based on their own, rather than their parents’ income. The increase to three years was to focus resources on genuine mature students.
I have no plans at present to change the arrangements in place. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.