Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
223. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grant options or financial assistance available from his Department for a person (details supplied) working as a special needs assistant for the past ten years who wishes to study to become an educational psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17696/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the student grant scheme. SUSI’s online system for the 2018 Scheme is now open. Students attending college in the academic year 2018/19 are required to submit their grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) via www.susi.ie to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.
I understand that the individual in question already holds a level 8 degree. One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
If the person to whom the Deputy refers is ineligible for a SUSI grant then there are some other options which could be pursued. 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 college attended. Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
