SUSI funding has been extended to SETU part-time undegrad courses

The SUSI fee contribution grant scheme has now been extended to students applying for places on twelve major higher education courses starting in September 2025 at SETU, which has a campus in Carlow. This includes higher certificates, bachelor’s degrees with options in Community Education and Literacy, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Law.

The new funding scheme was developed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to open-up opportunities for more people to access higher education.

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While part-time higher education courses are designed to be accessible to adult learners, the fees associated with them have been a barrier to some. This scheme will offer better access to many, including students coming from low-income families, lone parents, teen parents, widows, and carers.

“SUSI funding for part-time learners is a game changer in that it opens the doors to higher education for adult learners from each and every economic background and says lifelong learning is for all,” said Dr Tony Murphy, Head of Lifelong Learning at SETU.

Students who are starting out, or who are already enrolled and progressing, on one of the approved courses may be eligible for funding against their fees subject to means test. The scheme does not provide funding for maintenance.

To qualify for the funding applicants must be a citizen of the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation, and have been resident in one of these territories for three of the previous five years to qualify for a part-time fee grant.

A full list of the courses and further information, including how to apply, is available at www.setu.ie/susiparttime