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Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Ceisteanna (335)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

335. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student with a level 5 qualification who is now doing a different level 5 qualification can access the SUSI grant if he or she did not receive it for the first level 5 qualification; if not, if there are alternative supports available for such a student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55323/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Progression is a key tenet of the Student Grant Scheme and section 2 of the Student Support Act 2011. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, 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.

Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously.  The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. However, once a student progresses to a course at a higher level or completes the equivalent period of study on a new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course. Article 15(7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 refers.

Notwithstanding this, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, the awarding authority SUSI has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister.

SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case by case basis and it is it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances.

The Student Grant Scheme also contains a “second chance” provision whereby mature students who previously attended but did not successfully complete a course who are returning in order to pursue an approved course at PLC, undergraduate or postgraduate level in the relevant academic year following a break in studies of at least five years may be assessed for grant assistance. Article 13(6) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 refers.

Also the €200 PLC Participant Contribution was abolished for all students under Budget 2022, effective from the 2022/23 academic year.

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