Students and their families are urged to check if they’re eligible for expanded SUSI supports ahead of the new academic year

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless is strongly encouraging students and their families to visit susi.ie to see if they’re eligible for grant support because of expanded eligibility criteria.

Undergraduate students whose household reckonable income is under €115,000 may be eligible for financial support. Students do not need to have their Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to apply.

Minister Lawless said:

"I am very aware of the costs for students and families when attending further and

higher education. That is why my department expanded eligibility for grants by increasing income thresholds to provide greater support. Undergraduate students whose household reckonable income is under €115,000 may now be eligible for financial support.

“These improvements are long-term sustainable improvements which mark a significant step towards easing the financial burden on further and higher education students.”

Budget 2025 provided substantial improvements to the Student Grant Scheme including:

• an increase to the income threshold for the special rate of grant from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with increases in social welfare rates
• an increase to all other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds by at least 15%
• an increase to the income deduction for student earnings outside of term time from €7,925 to €8,424 effective for the 2025/26 academic year
• an expansion of the eligibility criteria to allow students who have certain immigration permissions to apply for grants
• an Increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution threshold to €64,315

Also, the Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2025 will see over 100 courses eligible, an increase from 62. A full list of the courses is available on www.susi.ie and the income threshold to avail of support has also increased to €64,315.

Minister Lawless said:

"All of these improved supports take effect from September this year. I would strongly urge students and parents to visit the SUSI website on www.susi.ie for further information and to find out if they are eligible for a grant."

Students who are planning to attend further or higher education in the 2025/26 academic year can access www.susi.ie to check eligibility and/or make an application for grant support.