Student Grant Scheme
- Name of the instrument - Local language
- Student Grant Scheme
- Name of the instrument - English translation
- Student Grant Scheme
- Scheme ID
- 116
- Country
- Ireland
- Reporting year
- 2015
- Type of instrument
- Grant for individuals
- Type of entry
- Single instrument
- Short description
Student enrolled in full-time further and higher education undergraduate courses can apply for the grant to cover the fees and living costs. The grant is means-tested. There are special eligibility criteria and rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Maximum amount of the grant is EUR 5 915.
- Short description of the related instruments
nap
- Level of operation
- National
- Name of a part of the country
- nap
- Name of the region (for regional instruments)
- nap
- Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
- nap
- Relevance
- Key scheme
- Legal basis
Student Support Act 2011
- Objective(s) and target(s)
To assist students with the various costs of participating in full-time further or higher education; provide financial help for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to particiapte in further and higher education.
- Year of implementation
- 2014
- Year of latest amendment
- 2011
- Operation/management
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), an agency sponsored by City of Dublin Education and Training Board, is the body responsible for processing the applications and paying grants to the successful applicants. Previously, the student grant was awarded by any of the 66 local authorities around Ireland.
- Eligible group(s)
Higher education students meeting the means-test criteria.
- Group(s) with preferential treatment
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Education and training eligible
Full-time further and higher education undergraduate courses.
- Source of financing and collection mechanism
Department of Education and Skills
- Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
There are different types of formula for the grants:
- maintenance grants are a contribution to the student's living costs
- fee grants can cover all or part of the student contribution to tuition fees.
The level of the grant is related to the means test. The latter is based on the applicant's family's gross income for the previous full tax year. Independent mature students are assessed on the basis of their own income.
There are also special eligibility criteria for students from disadvantaged backgrounds (where family income is almost entirely based on receipt of social welfare).There are 5 rates: special rate (for disadvantaged students), full maintenance, 75% part maintenance, 50% part maintenance and 25% part maintenance.
Max. amount of the grant: EUR 5 915.
Allocation: applicants recive the grants directly from SUSI.
- Eligible costs
Fees and other costs related to education and training (living costs)
- Frequency of the use
Only once
- Volumes of funding
For the academic year 2012/2013, the budget was EUR 103 400 000.
- Beneficiaries/take up
For the academic year 2012/13, 47 585 individuals received grants by SUSI.
- Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
Student Universal Support Ireland.
- Monitoring/evaluation reports available
One evaluation available - http://www.cdetb.ie/getattachment/footer/News/Latest/CDVEC-publishes-th…
- Most relevant webpage - in English
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fe… and http://www.studentfinance.ie/
- Most relevant webpage - local language
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fe… and http://www.studentfinance.ie/
- Recent changes
In 2011, various student assistance grant schemes were consolidated into the current version of the Student Grant Scheme. The reform of the Student Grant Scheme resulted from a need to streamline various forms of student assistance.
- Sources
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fe… and http://www.studentfinance.ie/
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fe… and http://www.studentfinance.ie/
- Short description
- Short description of the related instruments
- Level of operation
- Name of a part of the country
- Name of the region (for regional instruments)
- Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
- Relevance
- Legal basis
- Objective(s) and target(s)
- Year of implementation
- Year of latest amendment
- Operation/management
- Eligible group(s)
- Group(s) with preferential treatment
- Education and training eligible
- Source of financing and collection mechanism
- Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
- Eligible costs
- Frequency of the use
- Volumes of funding
- Beneficiaries/take up
- Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
- Monitoring/evaluation reports available
- Most relevant webpage - in English
- Most relevant webpage - local language
- Recent changes
- Sources