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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Question: I’m doing my Leaving Certificate this year and plan to go to college in the autumn. How do I apply for a student grant?
Answer: Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) awards higher and further education grants to people living in Ireland.
You complete an application form online to apply to SUSI. You must have an online account with SUSI before you can make your application. SUSI accepts grant applications for the 2021-2022 academic year from 22 April 2021.
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You can use SUSI’s eligibility reckoner to see whether you meet the criteria for student grant funding.
These include:
• You must be an Irish, UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national. You may also be considered for a grant if you have refugee status, subsidiary protection or leave to remain in Ireland.
• You must have been ordinarily resident in Ireland for three of the last five years.
• Your family’s means must be under the specified threshold for the previous tax year (2020). If you or your family have had a change of circumstances during the tax year, your changed circumstances may be taken into account.
• You must be attending a course that is approved for a student grant. You can see the list of approved institutions and courses on SUSI’s website.
If you are refused a grant or are approved a grant at a rate that you don’t think applies to your situation, you can appeal the decision in writing to SUSI. You must appeal within 30 days of getting your decision.
If you are living in direct provision or are in the international protection system, you can apply for support under the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers.
You can read more about the Student Grant Scheme on www.citizensinformation.ie.
• During COVID-19, you can find comprehensive integrated information online at citizensinformation.ie/covid19/ and you can get daily updates on what’s changed on Twitter at @citizensinfo. You can also get information and advice from:
Tralee on Tel: Call 0761 07 7860, Monday – Friday (10am-4pm)
The Citizens Information Phone Service: Call 0761 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm
Our national call back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone call from an information officer
