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Student Grant Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Ceisteanna (190)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

190. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be an additional income disregard for a family in receipt of a SUSI grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to 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 assessment of means under the student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt.

The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally on the same basis to both employed and self-employed applicants. Gross income, before the deduction of income tax or the universal social charge is assessed, with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have:

(i) less than 4 dependent children;

(ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children; and

(iii) 8 or more dependent children.

Furthermore, in recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families  

The assessment of means and decisions regarding grant eligibility are matters for the awarding authority (SUSI) to determine, upon receipt of an application for support. As such, it is not possible to definitively state what prospective applicants may be entitled to. However, the SUSI website contains an eligibility reckoner which may be of assistance to prospective students. This can accessed at: https://susi.ie/eligibility-reckoner-app-irish/index.html.

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