SUSI (STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND) 2015/16 ACADEMIC YEAR

ABOUT SUSI Legislation Single Grant Awarding Authority since 2012: “66 to 1” awarding authorities; New grants; and Renew your SUSI grant each year. SUSI Metrics: 70,000 applications for 2012/13 – 40,000 grants awarded; 90,000 applications for 2013/14 – 60,000 grants awarded; 103,000 applications for 2014/15 – 74,000 grants awarded; and 110,000 applications expected for 2015/16: Opened 23 April for all New and Renewal Applications; Closing date for priority processing of Renewal applications – 12 June; and Closing date for priority processing of New applications – 1 August.

Grant Types and Rates (Dependent on your Household Income) Fee Grant: €3,000 Student Contribution; €2,000, or up to €6,270, Postgraduate Fees; 50% or 100% rates; and Paid directly to Colleges. Maintenance Grant (“adjacent”<45k from college): €1,215 adjacent/ €3,025 non-adjacent; 25%, 50%, 75%,100% rates; Special rate: €2,375 adjacent/ €5,915 non-adjacent; Paid to Students (9 monthly instalments); and Generally not payable if on BTEA.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Approved Courses/Colleges; Nationality; Residency; Income; and Progression through Education.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Approved Courses/Colleges must be: in an Approved Institution; an Approved Course; a Full-time Course; and leading to a major award.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (cont.) Residency: 3 of the last 5 years in Ireland, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland (if not resident in Ireland for 3/5 but resident in EU/EEA/Switzerland not eligible for maintenance grant - Tuition student) Nationality: Must be Irish, EU, EEA, a Swiss national, or have specific leave to remain in the State.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (cont.) Income: All household income (applicant and others). Dependent: If you were under 23 on the 1st January 2015; or If you were over 23 on the 1st January 2015 but were under 23 when you first entered further or higher education. Mature Dependent: If you were over 23 on the 1st January 2015 and living with your parents/guardians in October 2014; or If you were over 23 on the 1st January of the year when you first entered further or higher education and were living with your parents/guardians in the October prior to that year.

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (cont.) Independent: If you were over 23 on the 1st January 2015 and living independently from your parents/guardians in October 2014; or If you were over 23 on the 1st January of the year when you first entered further or higher education and were living independently from your parents/guardians in October prior to that year. Dependent and Mature Dependent applicants will be assessed on their own income and that of their parents/legal guardians. Independent applicants will be assessed on their own income and that of their spouse/civil partner/cohabitant, where applicable.

PROGRESSION IN EDUCATION Maintenance and fees- Republic of Ireland Only Maintenance only - For studying abroad Fees only- Tuition students and BTEA recipients Maximum period of study between level 6 and 7, for four years. Four years maximum period of study at level 8 (or the course duration) Maximum four years funding. All prior academic attainment is taken into consideration Contribution only of €2000 Special rate funding is available for contribution of €6270 No maintenance available Funding available for Republic of Ireland Only * *Queen’s University, University of Ulster St. Mary’s College of Education, Stranmillis College, Belfast. Courses in Republic of Ireland only Not eligible for BTEA recipients Maintenance Only Tuition Students not eligible for funding Maximum period of funding is three years Level 10 PHD Level 9 Masters Degree Level 9 Post- Graduate Diploma Level 8 Higher Diploma Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree Level 6 Higher Certificate Level 6 Advanced Certificate Level 5 Certificate

TYPES OF STUDY

SUSI KEY DATES 2015 New & Renewal Applications Opened: 23 April Renewal Applications Closing: 12 June New Applications Closing: 1 August

KEEP IN TOUCH & APPLY EARLY!!! Tick the SUSI option on your CAO form NOW so CAO can confirm your college place offer to SUSI. Check out your grant eligibility NOW at www.susi.ie (all you need to know about grants). Apply online - Applications opened on 23 April (early applications receive priority processing).

SUSI STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND Website: www.susi.ie Email: support@susi.ie Facebook.com/susisupport Twitter.com/susihelpdesk Telephone helpdesk: 0761 087 874 Go to: www.susi.ie