Third Level Education

Education Minister James Lawless said the government is doing “everything we can to ease the pressure on families when it comes to college costs”.

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN urged to check whether they are eligible for SUSI grant support after the criteria was expanded in the last Budget.

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s national awarding authority for further and higher education grants.

It offers funding to eligible students in approved courses at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland and in some cases, to students studying in the UK or EU.

All types of students, from school-leavers to mature students returning to education can apply for funding.

SUSI is open for new and renewal applications from today for both the student grant scheme and the part‑time scheme. 

Under Budget 2026, the income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant for undergraduate students increased from €115,000 to €120,000.

The income threshold for the special rate of grant also increased from €27,400 to €28,600, while the Postgraduage Free Contribution grant increased by €500 to €4,500.

Meanwhile, the income disregard for student earnings outside term time went from €8,424 to €8,830 and all non-adjacent maintenance rates for students living 30km or more from their college were increased.

The annual student contribution charge was cut by €500 in Budget 2026 to €2,500.

However, this replaced a temporary cost-of-living reduction of €1,000, introduced in 2022, meaning students will still pay €500 more than they did before. Student leaders described this as a “slap in the face” last year. 

Minister for Education James Lawless said students are already benefitting from changes introduced this academic year, adding that further improvements will take effect from September.

“I know that rent, travel and everyday expenses can add up fast. That’s why I have widened the grant thresholds and increased non‑adjacent maintenance rates – doing everything we can to ease the pressure on families when it comes to college costs,” he said. 

Lawless encouraged students to check their eligibility on www.susi.ie and, if they’re eligible, “to get their application in early”.

Students do not need to have their Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to apply. They can add the details of the course they hope to study and update their course choice online later.

Students who received funding in the 2025/26 academic year and are progressing to the next year of the course must submit a renewal application.

SUSI aims to have a decision with as many applicants as possible “before the start of the new academic year”, the Department of Education said.

The priority processing dates are 11 June for renewal applications and 9 July for new applications.