Green Party TD – Steven Matthews has called on all Wicklow students who plan to study or continue a third level degree in the coming academic year to check their eligibility for the SUSI grant which has now opened for applications for the 2024/25 academic year. This follows significant changes to the qualifying criteria this year. This includes increases to household income limits for both the standard and special rate of funding and increased of grant rates available. There has also been an increase to the income deduction for student earnings outside of term time from €6,552 to €7,925 to allow for greater options for applicants to work part time and reflects an increase in the minimum wage.
Encouraging students to check their eligibility, Deputy Matthews said:
“Following a meeting with representatives from SUSI, I was extremely encouraged to see the improvements and increased eligibility for higher rates of support this year. I completely understand that many people’s minds will be focused on exams, summer jobs and holidays but the new college year won’t be long coming around and the positive changes made to the grant have been designed to bring in as many people as possible into the qualifying criteria.
“The changes in income criteria this year may mean that applicants can qualify for a level of funding that they previously weren’t able to so it’s absolutely worth reviewing the new criteria.
“Applications are already open vis the SUSI website; the priority processing dates are 6 June 2024 for renewal applications and 11 July 2024 for new applications. To ensure this grant funding is available for draw down quickly, I would encourage applicants to have their submission in as early as possible.
“I receive queries every summer from worried students and families so I would encourage applicants to engage with representatives from SUSI, who have greater staff and resources this year to cater for an expected increase in applications. I am also more than happy to help with any appeals of related issues and would ask applicant who is experiencing difficulties or needs support with an appeal to contact me directly, concluded Deputy Matthews.
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