SUSI grant top up for Laois students welcomed locally

Thousands of Laois students in third level education and who receive the maintenance grant will today receive an extra payment while the core grant is set to rise for all students in January.

The extra payment to students across the country ranges from just over €56 to almost €680. 

The move, which was agreed by the Government as a cost of living measure in Budget 2023, will see eligible PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students who receive the Special Rate of grant, receive the equivalent to one monthly maintenance grant payment at 2022 levels.

Meanwhile, the student maintenance grant rates will increase effective from the start of 2023. More below table which shows how much the once of grant is.

This will mean that from January, the Special and Band 1 maintenance grant rates will increase by 14%, and all other maintenance grant rates will increase by 10%. Students will see their rates increase proportionally.

The undergraduate student contribution fee for eligible higher education students was also reduced by €1,000 for this academic year.

The measures were announced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and welcomed by Laois Offaly Minister of State Pippa Hackett.

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“Equality of access to education, irrespective of background, is close to my heart.  I welcome the additional payment on top of the scheduled maintenance grant for eligible students.  Today's students are investing time and effort in their futures but it is important to remember that their futures are our shared future, we will all benefit and we must support where we can. 

"This week's payment is a short term measure and I welcome the longer term maintenance grant rates increase effective from January 2023. This will mean that from January, the Special and Band 1 maintenance grant rates will increase by 14%, and all other maintenance grant rates will increase by 10%. Students will see their rates increase proportionally,” she said.

Maintenance grants help students with their living costs. Fee grants pay tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. 

Those who qualify for the maintenance grants are single parent, single foster parent of a child or young person under 20 who is in full-time education below higher education level, or on an approved training course.