Ó An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today urged students who have not yet applied for SUSI grants for the 2020/2021 academic year to do so before 9 July.
New applicants to SUSI still have an opportunity to have their application prioritised if they submit their application before 9 July.
Minister Harris also moved to reassure students that the grant scheme is flexible and can address loss of income as a result of COVID-19. Students and their families who have experienced a fall in income can seek to have their application reviewed under the change of circumstances provision within the scheme, provided they can demonstrate that any change in income is “likely to obtain for the duration of the approved course or for the foreseeable future”.
Minister Harris said:
“As Minister for Higher Education, I am committed to building an inclusive higher education system and SUSI grants are an excellent resource for eligible students to avail of.
“COVID-19 has caused significant disruption across the country and students have had to deal with the closure of colleges, and a disruption to their studies.
“I am conscious this pandemic has also resulted in a loss of income for many families and created a time of financial worry in many households. I want to assure people that there is scope to address loss of income as part of the grant scheme.
“I also want to encouraged any remaining students who think they might be eligible for support, to submit their online student grant applications to SUSI without delay; to ensure that they are processed as quickly as possible.”
SUSI is accepting applications in the usual way from Irish students intending to study approved courses in the UK and from UK students intending to study in Ireland, as they can continue to avail of student grants if eligible.
The SUSI grant scheme opened on 23 April. Last year it received circa 96,000 applications with circa 73,000 students availing of grant support. To date SUSI has received circa 75,000 applications for the 2020/21 academic year. While it will still be possible to submit an application after the priority closing date has passed, any late applications will not receive the same priority attention by SUSI.
ENDS
The priority application date for renewal applicants was 11 June. However, new applicants to SUSI still have an opportunity to have their application prioritised if they submit their application before 9 July.