SUSI grant system opens for applications

Applications have opened for the next college year.

College students or those hoping to have a college place for the next year are being encouraged to get their grant applications in.

The SUSI programme has now opened for the 2022/23 academic year.

SUSI is advising people to apply early or they could face longer wait times for confirmation or payment.

Eleanor Murphy, SUSI’s Communications and Customer Services Manager says income limits have increased this year:

“Students considering applying for funding should take a look at the new income thresholds many of which have increased by €1,000 this year. For example, the income threshold for the band 1 full maintenance rate, has increased from €39,875 to €40,875 where there are less than four dependent children in the household."

The annual maintenance grant will also increase by €200 and the qualifying distance for the higher ‘non-adjacent’ maintenance rate will decrease to 30km from 45km.

The SUSI website has an eligibility tracker for students to see if they can avail of supports.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth has welcomed the changes for the upcoming year:

"It's worth noting that a number of enhancements were made to the Student Grant Scheme for the 2022/23 academic as part of Budget 2022.

"The annual maintenance grant will increase by €200. Income thresholds for all grant rates except the Special Rate will increase by €1,000 and the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant will reduce from 45km to 30km."

The priority closing date for renewal applications is June 9 and priority closing date for new applications is July 7.