Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
666. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any grants outside of SUSI for a student sitting a masters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), further details are available at www.susi.ie
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, there are various other supports that may be available to third level students:
• Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund, which assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended;
• The Higher Education Authority (HEA) provides information in relation to bursaries and scholarships available at hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/other-finance-bursaries-scholarships/;
• In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. More information on the tax credit and the tax treatment of students generally is available from the Revenue Commissioners on Students (revenue.ie) or from your local Tax Office;
• The Rent Tax Credit has increased to €750 per individual and €1,500 per jointly assessed couple for 2024 and 2025. Payments made by parents in respect of “digs” or rent-a-room arrangements for their children to attend an approved course will now qualify for the Rent Tax Credit, provided the claimant and their child are not related to the landlord. This change will apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023. More information on the rent tax credit is available on Rent tax credit where rent is paid on behalf of third level students;
• Students may also be eligible for reduced travel, more information can be found on Young Adult and Student Card - Leap Card.
