Carlow college applicants urged to meet Third Level priority deadline for grant assistance

The priority closing date for new college grant applications is  Thursday next, July 6, and any school leaver who either sat their Leaving Certificate this year or deferred a college place is urged to make their application now, Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan, has urged.

“This is an anxious time for students. Many have finished their exams this or last week and they do need a well-earned rest. They’ve had their heads in their books for months on end. But I would encourage them to log on to the SUSI website now and make the priority closing date for new applications which is 6 July 2023. If  you submit your application on or before this date, you will receive priority assessment.

“SUSI expects a high number of applications will be made over the summer months. Students are  advised to apply before 6 July 2023 to avail of priority assessment. These applications will be prioritised and students should know quicker if they have been successful or not. SUSI will continue to accept applications for student funding after 6 July 2023 however these applications will not receive priority processing.

“SUSI has told us that it aims to have as many grant application decisions as possible with students before the start of the new academic year. The sooner they receive a student’s application, the sooner they will receive an answer as to whether they’re eligible or not.”

You do not need to have your Leaving Cert results or to have accepted a course to apply. You can simply supply the details of the course you hope to study and update your course choice online at a later date, Deputy Phelan added.

“Students and parents/guardians should note that there have been a significant number of changes to the 2023/24 eligibility criteria to recognise the increased cost of going to college and the pressure such costs bring. The changes include the increase of the income threshold for eligible undergraduate students to €100,000.

“A new student contribution grant of €500 has been introduced for undergraduate students. New income thresholds for the 50% Student Contribution Grant have also been introduced this year. A special rate of grant for the maintenance grant is available for eligible students. The amount a student can earn outside term time has increased from €4,500 to €6,552.
 
“These changes, and others which can be seen on the www.susi.ie website make more students than ever eligible for full or partial support. It’s well worth spending time viewing the criteria and seeing what is on offer.  The SUSI website includes a handy eligibility calculator which guides students and will give them a steer as to whether they’re eligible or not.”

Deputy Phelan anticipates that more students than ever will select courses at the South East Technological University this year. “SETU is a massive boost to this region. It will allow us to retain our brightest and our best and help stem the brain drain to Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork that typically happens other years. It will also be a huge economic driver for Carlow, Kilkenny and the entire South East region and a magnet for enterprise and innovation.”