Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has today encouraged eligible students to apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) following the opening for applications of student grant funding for the 2025/26 academic year. Speaking today, Minister Lawless said: “I am delighted to announce substantial eligibility expansions for students and families. My Department has made significant improvements to the scheme that will benefit a wide range of applicants.
“The announcements today represent a further significant step in easing the financial burden on students attending further and higher education. The substantial increase in the thresholds for grants means a greater number of students will now be eligible for grant support.
“We know the cost of going to college can be very difficult for families and every year these costs have been increasing. This is why we have now expanded the scheme, significantly increasing the threshold to assist students and their families. Undergraduate students whose reckonable income is under €115,000 may now be eligible for support.
“These improvements will take effect from September this year. Please visit the SUSI website on www.susi.ie for further information and to find out if you are eligible for a grant.”
Budget 2025 provided significant improvements to existing supports under the Student Grant Scheme and the Student Part-Time Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses. Improvements from September 2025 for eligible students will include:
An increase in the income threshold to the special rate of grant from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with increases in social welfare rates;
An increase in all other income 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. This will include those who received permission to remain under Strand 1 of the Department of Justice’s Regularisation Scheme for Undocumented Migrants and those who are the Parent of an Irish Citizen Child.
SUSI is open for new applications from today, 3 April 2025, for both the Student Grant Scheme and the Part-Time Student Grant Scheme. Students should check out SUSI’s website to make an application www.susi.ie
