Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has announced today that student maintenance grants have now increased.
This measure was introduced as part of Budget 2023, which will see the special rate of maintenance (Band 1) increase by 14% and all other bands increase by 10%. Susi has warned that increases will not be backdated to the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said “The student maintenance grant is incredibly important for thousands of students and their families across the country.
“But we also recognised that it needed to be improved to help with the challenges of inflationary pressures and a cost of living crisis”.
He added that, “I know the cost of education remains a challenge for many in this country, but I am determined to continue introducing measures to ensure no one is left behind because they can’t afford to follow their educational goals”.
Students eligible for maintenance would have received a double payment already last month. Those ineligible for the Susi grant will still benefit from a reduction of €1,000 in the student grant for this year only.
Students who have already paid fees in full will receive €1,000 back this semester. More measures will be introduced for the 2023-2024 academic year.
From the 1st of September, the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant will increase from €55,240 to €62,000 per year.
Alongside this, the student contribution will be reduced by €500 for families earning between €62,000 and €100,000.
Mature students who return from a break in their studies will also be able to apply for the student grant after 3 years. This was previously a period of 5 years.
The limit for earnings outside of term time will increase from €4,500 to €6,552 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Louise Hickey
Image Credit: Susi