Menu
15/04/2016
Improvements To Student Grant Scheme Announced
A series of improvements have been announced for the Student Grant Scheme 2016/17, by the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan.
The Minister's announcement coincides with SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) opening its online application system for grant applications for the 2016/17 academic year.
This year's scheme opened more than two weeks earlier than last year, the earliest ever opening of the scheme.
Minister O'Sullivan said: "The earlier opening date is positive news for students. It should lead to earlier decisions in respect of those students who submit their applications before the priority closing dates.
"In this regard I would encourage all prospective students to visit the SUSI website and review the eligibility criteria for student grant funding. Students who believe that they may be entitled to grant support should submit their applications before the priority closing dates so that they can benefit from earlier decisions and grant support".
SUSI anticipates that it will receive over 110,000 applications for the 2016/17 academic year. Some €380m will be invested in the scheme in 2016 and more than 80,000 students will benefit.
This year's scheme includes a number of improvements that are consistent with the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015–2019. This includes an extension to the qualifying criteria for receiving the special rate of maintenance grant and the inclusion of a number of additional income disregards.
The Minister also highlighted new benefits for 'second chance students'.
"The new scheme will support mature students who do not complete their programme in higher education to return to either further or higher education, after a break of five years, without incurring any financial penalties," the Minister said. "In previous years students who returned to further education having failed to complete a higher education course were penalised if they subsequently returned to higher education."
(MH/JP)
The Minister's announcement coincides with SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) opening its online application system for grant applications for the 2016/17 academic year.
This year's scheme opened more than two weeks earlier than last year, the earliest ever opening of the scheme.
Minister O'Sullivan said: "The earlier opening date is positive news for students. It should lead to earlier decisions in respect of those students who submit their applications before the priority closing dates.
"In this regard I would encourage all prospective students to visit the SUSI website and review the eligibility criteria for student grant funding. Students who believe that they may be entitled to grant support should submit their applications before the priority closing dates so that they can benefit from earlier decisions and grant support".
SUSI anticipates that it will receive over 110,000 applications for the 2016/17 academic year. Some €380m will be invested in the scheme in 2016 and more than 80,000 students will benefit.
This year's scheme includes a number of improvements that are consistent with the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015–2019. This includes an extension to the qualifying criteria for receiving the special rate of maintenance grant and the inclusion of a number of additional income disregards.
The Minister also highlighted new benefits for 'second chance students'.
"The new scheme will support mature students who do not complete their programme in higher education to return to either further or higher education, after a break of five years, without incurring any financial penalties," the Minister said. "In previous years students who returned to further education having failed to complete a higher education course were penalised if they subsequently returned to higher education."
(MH/JP)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 August 2013
Student Grant Deadline Tonight
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) are reminding students that the deadline to apply for grants for the upcoming year is at midnight tonight (Monday). The original deadline of last Thursday was extended after the SUSI system crashed just hours before closure and was down for a number of hours.
Student Grant Deadline Tonight
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) are reminding students that the deadline to apply for grants for the upcoming year is at midnight tonight (Monday). The original deadline of last Thursday was extended after the SUSI system crashed just hours before closure and was down for a number of hours.
05 June 2019
Student Support For Asylum Seekers To Continue
A grant support scheme for asylum seekers in third level education will continue for the next academic year, government has confirmed. The Pilot Student Support Scheme was introduced in 2015 for prospective students who are in the international protection system.
Student Support For Asylum Seekers To Continue
A grant support scheme for asylum seekers in third level education will continue for the next academic year, government has confirmed. The Pilot Student Support Scheme was introduced in 2015 for prospective students who are in the international protection system.
20 April 2016
Minister Seeks Applications For Student Grants Appeals Board
The Minister for Education and Skills is seeking applications for vacancies on the independent Student Grants Appeals Board for September 2016 to September 2021. The Student Grants Appeals Board is a statutory independent Board established under Section 25 of the Student Support Act 2011.
Minister Seeks Applications For Student Grants Appeals Board
The Minister for Education and Skills is seeking applications for vacancies on the independent Student Grants Appeals Board for September 2016 to September 2021. The Student Grants Appeals Board is a statutory independent Board established under Section 25 of the Student Support Act 2011.
08 February 2019
Govt Allocate €23m For Higher Education Innovation Fund
A total of €23 million has been awarded to projects across 23 higher education institutions as part of the new Innovation and Transformation fund. The programme was launched in 2018 as part of the modernisation and reform of the funding model for higher education.
Govt Allocate €23m For Higher Education Innovation Fund
A total of €23 million has been awarded to projects across 23 higher education institutions as part of the new Innovation and Transformation fund. The programme was launched in 2018 as part of the modernisation and reform of the funding model for higher education.
19 August 2011
€35m Education Campus Approved
The Irish Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has given the green light to Co. Monaghan Vocational Education Committee to proceed to the next stage in the construction of a €35 million education campus. Following a tender process, the VEC will commence construction on the new campus.
€35m Education Campus Approved
The Irish Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has given the green light to Co. Monaghan Vocational Education Committee to proceed to the next stage in the construction of a €35 million education campus. Following a tender process, the VEC will commence construction on the new campus.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
