Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris is encouraging students to take advantage of new student supports as it emerged only one in four of those eligible has applied for a €500 grant towards their contribution fee.
Changes introduced as part of Budget 2023 included a measure which allows students from households with an income of between €62,000 and €100,000 apply for a €500 grant towards their student contribution fee.
However, although in the region of 40,000 students are estimated to be eligible for the grant, the most recent figures suggest only 10,000 have applied.
“We have been working hard to reduce the cost of going to college for students and their families by putting money back into people’s pockets," Minister Harris said. "That’s why we have brought in important changes for this academic year so that more people can avail of the supports available. One of these changes is a €500 grant for students from households earning between €62,000 and €100,000.
"While a large number of students have already applied for the grant, there are potentially tens of thousands more who could be availing of this support. I am encouraging students and their families to go to susi.ie and to use the eligibility reckoner and take advantage of the supports that are there to reduce the cost of education.”
