SUSI (STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND)

SUSI STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND Website: Facebook.com/susisupport Twitter.com/susihelpdesk Telephone helpdesk:

ABOUT SUSI Single Grant Awarding Authority since 2012: “66 to 1” awarding authorities; New grants only (or if changing course); and Renew with your current awarding authority. Student Grant Scheme (2012, 2013, 2014) SUSI Metrics: 70,000 applications in 2012 – 40,000 grants awarded; 90,000 applications in 2013 – 60,000 grants awarded; and 100,000 applications expected in 2014.

ABOUT SUSI Services Provided for Applicants and Students: Student Information ( On-line grant applications ( Application Processing (send documents by post); Payment of awarded grants; and Student Advice Helpdesk – phone, , etc.

STUDENT FINANCE Free Fees (HEA). Student Grants (SUSI). BTEA (Dept. Social Protection). Other Assistance (Bursary, Scholarship, etc.).

Grant Types and Rates (Dependent on your Reckonable Income) Fee Grant:  €2,500 Student Contribution;  €2,000, or up to €6270, Postgraduate Fees;  Paid direct to Colleges; and  50% or 100% rates. Maintenance Grant (“adjacent”<45k from college):  €1215 adjacent or €3025 non-adjacent;  25%, 50%, 75%,100% rates;  Special rate: €2375 adjacent/€5915 non-adjacent;  paid to Student (9 monthly instalments); and  Generally not payable if on BTEA.

TYPES OF STUDY Must be in Approved Colleges/Courses Further Education (levels 5 and 6)  PLC Courses in State (maintenance only) Higher Education (levels 6 to 10)  Undergraduate: in State of Ireland (fees & maintenance); and outside State (maintenance only).  Postgraduate (fees contribution only): in State of Ireland; and some postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.

TYPES OF STUDY

KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Nationality: Irish, EU, EEA or Swiss nationals or have specific leave to remain in the State. Residency: 3 of last 5 years in Ireland, EU, EEA or Switzerland. Progression in education – NFQ levels Back To Education Allowance (BTEA):  If in receipt and attending a PLC course – not eligible.  For Higher Education – may be entitled to Student Contribution Charge and Tuition Fees.

Income: All household income (applicant and others).  Dependent: If you were under 23 on the 1 st January 2014; or If you were over 23 on the 1 st January 2014 but were under 23 when you first entered further or higher education.  Mature Dependent: If you were over 23 on the 1 st January 2014 and living with your parents/guardians in October 2013; or If you were over 23 on the 1 st 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 1 st January 2014 and living independently from your parents/guardians in October 2013; or If you were over 23 on the 1 st 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/guardians. Independent applicants will be assessed on their own income and that of their spouse/civil partner/cohabitant, where applicable. KEY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (cont.)

SUSI KEY DATES 2014 Applications Opening: early May Applications Closing: early August Application Processing (3 months):  Initial Assessment (SUSI) - August  Documents Requested (Students) - September  Final Assessment (SUSI) - October Registration and First Grant Payments – October

KEEP IN TOUCH & APPLY EARLY!!! 1.Tick the SUSI option on your CAO form NOW – so CAO can confirm your college place offer to SUSI. 2.Check out your grant eligibility NOW at (all you need to know about grants). 3.Apply online when SUSI opens in EARLY MAY (early applications receive priority processing).

Questions & Answers SUSI STUDENT UNIVERSAL SUPPORT IRELAND