Ivana Bacik
Ceist:174. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of opening the Student Access Fund to non-domestic students. [31156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 June 2022
Ceisteanna (174)
Freagraí scríofa
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending higher education. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare, transport and costs associated with the provision of books/class materials.
Students who are non-EU, including UK nationals, but who are eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the Free Fees Initiative, may be considered for the Student Assistance Fund subject to meeting other relevant criteria.
International/non-EU fee paying students who pay the full international rate of fee are not eligible for funding under the Student Assistance Fund. Higher Education Institutions are advised to ring-fence funding from non-EU fee income to provide for any emergency financial requirements arising for these international students.
However, if international non-EU students were eligible for funding under the Student Assistance Fund, the estimated additional costs would be in the ranges below:
- If 5,000 non-EU students were eligible for the SAF, the cost would be approximately €3.25 million;
- If 10,000 non-EU students were eligible for the SAF, the cost would be approximately €7.5 million;
- If 15,000 non-EU students were eligible for the SAF, the cost would be approximately €10.75 million;
- If 20,000 non-EU students were eligible for the SAF, the cost would be approximately €13 million.