SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland's national awarding authority for further and higher education grants. It offers maintenance and fee grants to eligible Irish, EU, EEA, UK and Swiss students on approved, full-time PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and, in some cases, to students studying outside Ireland. For 2026/27, the maintenance grant reaches up to €7,936 a year, and fee grants cover tuition fees, the student contribution or postgraduate fees. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed SUSI's official rules for all five funding streams, and every condition, threshold and rate is set out below.
What Is SUSI?
🏛️ SUSI is Ireland's national awarding authority for further and higher education grants.
🎓 It offers maintenance grants (living costs) and fee grants to eligible students.
📚 Funding covers approved courses at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
✈️ In some cases, students studying outside Ireland can also be funded.
🖥️ All five funding streams run through one application system: the SUSI Student Portal, under the Student Grant Scheme.
The Five SUSI Funding Streams at a Glance
🏫 PLC Course: Maintenance Grant
🎓 Full-Time Undergraduate Course: Maintenance Grant + Student Contribution and/or Fees
🕒 Specified Part-Time Undergraduate Course: Student Contribution and/or Fees
🇪🇺 Undergraduate Course in the EU or UK: Maintenance Grant
📜 Postgraduate Course: Maintenance Grant + Postgraduate Fees
🗺️ Postgraduate funding is available for courses within the State and in four approved institutions in Northern Ireland.
Who Can Apply? The Four Core Conditions
Applicants must:
🛂 Be Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss nationals, or have a specific immigration status or leave to remain permission from the Department of Justice
🏠 Be resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years
📉 Have a total reckonable household income falling below specific income thresholds
📈 Be progressing in their education by attending an approved higher-level course
Nationality and Immigration Status Criteria
You must be an Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss national, or hold one of the following statuses:
🛡️ Refugee status (Refugee Act 1996 s.3, s.18 or s.24; International Protection Act 2015 s.47(1) or s.59)
🤲 Subsidiary protection (S.I. 518/2006, S.I. 426/2013, International Protection Act 2015 s.47(4))
🔗 Family members of EU, EEA or Swiss nationals with permission to remain (Free Movement Regulations 2006/2008, Directive 2004/38/EC)
💍 Spouse, civil partner or dependent child of an Irish national resident in the State
🕊️ Humanitarian leave to remain (Stamp 4)
📄 Non-deportation decision (Immigration Act 1999 s.3)
🧒 Dependent children of naturalised Irish citizens
🌐 Children of Turkish nationals (Decision 1/80, Article 9)
📑 Permission under International Protection Act 2015 s.49
🗂️ Permission under the Regularisation Scheme for Long-Term Undocumented Migrants (still valid)
👪 Parents of Irish citizen children (Stamp 4)
📋 Permission under International Protection Act 2015 s.60
The Residency Rule: Three of the Last Five Years
🏡 You must have lived in the Irish State, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years.
🚫 There are no exemptions to this residency rule.
🎟️ If your three of five years were in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland but not in the Irish State, you are assessed as a "tuition student": you can receive a fee grant only, with no maintenance grant.
🏫 Tuition students on PLC courses receive no SUSI funding.
Progression: Moving Up the NFQ Levels
⬆️ You must progress to a higher NFQ level than any qualification you already hold and than any course you previously attended.
🔁 Repeat years are not funded, except in exceptional circumstances.
⏸️ Incomplete previous study: you can receive a partial grant after completing an equivalent period. For example, if you attended 3 months of a Level 7 course, you receive 6 maintenance payments instead of 9.
🔄 Second chance: a mature student who previously attended but did not complete a course can return to an approved PLC, undergraduate or postgraduate course after a 3-year break.
Maximum Funding Periods by Course Level
🏫 PLC (Level 5): maximum 3 years in total at PLC level
🎓 Full-time undergraduate Level 6: maximum 2 years
🎓 Full-time undergraduate Level 7: maximum 3 years
🧮 Full-time undergraduate Level 6 + Level 7: maximum 4 years
🏅 Full-time undergraduate Level 8: maximum 4 years (unless the normal course duration is longer)
🕒 Part-time undergraduate Level 6: maximum 4 years / 120 credits
⏳ Part-time undergraduate Level 7: maximum 6 years / 180 credits
📊 Part-time undergraduate Level 6 + Level 7: maximum 8 years / 240 credits
📘 Part-time undergraduate Level 8: maximum 8 years / 240 credits
📜 Postgraduate Level 8 Higher Diploma: maximum 4 years in total at postgraduate level (all previous postgraduate attendance counts)
Applicant Class: Dependent, Mature Dependent or Independent
👶 Dependent: under 23 on 1 January of the year of your first point of entry into further or higher education. Your own income and your parents' income are assessed.
🏘️ Mature Dependent: over 23 on 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry and living with your parents. Your own income and your parents' income are assessed.
🔑 Independent: over 23 on 1 January of the year of first entry and living independently from October of the year before entry or re-entry. Your own income and that of your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are assessed. Documentary evidence of independent residency is required.
🎒 A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years old on 1 January of the year of their first point of entry or re-entry.
⚠️ Recipients of BTEA or VTOS do not receive a maintenance grant, but may get a fee grant.
Care Leavers
🤝 Care leavers under 23 are assessed as Dependent, but only their own income is assessed.
📝 SUSI may request the SUSI-Tusla Form 2026/27.
🧡 Foster care and aftercare allowances can qualify you for the Special Rate of grant.
How Household Income Is Assessed for 2026/27
🗓️ For 2026/27, SUSI assesses gross income from all sources from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
🏖️ Holiday earnings (full-time students): maximum deduction €8,830 for earnings in the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays (up from €8,424).
🕒 Student earnings (part-time undergraduates): maximum deduction €8,830.
🛏️ Rent a Room Relief: up to €14,000.
🩺 Nursing and midwifery supernumerary meal allowance of €500 (years 1 to 3) is deductible.
🧾 Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment and other listed payments are excluded from reckonable income.
♿ From 2026/27, Constant Attendance Allowance and Disablement Benefit paid to the applicant are also excluded.
The 30km Adjacency Rule
📏 If your college is under 30km from your normal residence, you receive the adjacent rate.
🚗 If it is 30km or more, you receive the higher non-adjacent rate.
🗺️ Distance is measured on Google Maps using the shortest route, a 1am departure, avoiding tolls, with two parameter sets (with and without highways); the shorter one is used. Eircodes are used.
🏠 Normal residence means your parents' home (dependent and mature dependent applicants) or your own home (independent applicants).
The Special Rate of Grant
To qualify for the Special Rate, you must:
✅ Be eligible for the ordinary rate of grant
📉 Have income under the Special Rate threshold
📌 On 31 December of the year before you apply, have reckonable household income that includes an eligible long-term Department of Social Protection payment (or an EU equivalent)
Eligible payments include, for example:
🤗 Carer's Allowance
🍼 One Parent Family Payment
♿ Disability Allowance
📆 Jobseeker's Allowance (65 consecutive weeks)
👷 Working Family Payment
🧡 Foster Care and Aftercare allowances
📚 BTEA
🛠️ CE Scheme
🏫 VTOS
🆕 New for 2026/27: Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit and Disablement Benefit have been added.
⌛ Incapacity Supplement applies to 2025/26 only.
Budget 2026 Changes in Force for 2026/27
📈 Non-adjacent maintenance from September 2026: Special Rate +€350 to €7,936; Band 1 +€430 to €4,722; Bands 2 to 4 +€200 to €3,532 / €2,702 / €1,866.
🧷 A pro-rata increase for January to May 2026 (2025/26): Special Rate +€194, Band 1 +€239, Bands 2 to 4 +€111.
⬆️ Special Rate threshold raised from €27,400 to €28,600.
🎯 €500 Student Contribution Grant threshold raised from €115,000 to €120,000.
📜 Postgraduate Fee Contribution increased by €500 to €4,500 (from January 2026).
🏖️ Holiday earnings deduction raised from €8,424 to €8,830.
♿ Constant Attendance Allowance and Disablement Benefit (applicant) are disregarded; Disablement Benefit and Pay-Related Benefit are now eligible Special Rate payments.
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🌍 All opportunities in Ireland →
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1. Full-Time Undergraduate Grant: Maintenance + Fees
Approved Full-Time Undergraduate Courses
🎓 Full-time courses at NFQ Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor) or Level 8 (Honours Bachelor)
🏅 The course must lead to a major award and last at least 2 years
📌 Exceptions: 1-year Level 7 Ordinary Bachelor, Level 8 Honours Bachelor of at least 1 year, 1-year Level 6 Higher Certificate at institutes of technology only, and the 18-month Accelerated Technician Programme at institutes of technology only
🏛️ Approved institutions: universities, institutes of technology, other higher education institutions and prescribed courses
Colleges Not Eligible for SUSI Funding
These CAO-offered private colleges are not eligible:
🚫 American College
⛔ ICHAS
❌ CCT
🛑 Dublin Business School
🔕 Dorset College
⭕ Galway Business School
🚷 Griffith College
📵 ICD Business School
🙅 Portobello Institute
What the Full-Time Undergraduate Grant Covers
🏠 Maintenance grant for living costs
💶 Fee grant: tuition fees (where the student is not covered by the Free Fees Initiative), the student contribution (full, 50% or €500 depending on income) and the compulsory field trip element
🧾 If you are covered by the Free Fees Initiative but your course is not, SUSI pays tuition up to €6,270
📐 If the course is covered but you are not, SUSI pays up to 100% of the EU fee rate
🚫 Tuition students and BTEA recipients receive no maintenance
✈️ Your maintenance grant continues during compulsory study abroad, including an Erasmus study period
2026/27 Income Thresholds and Maintenance Rates
Thresholds are shown for households with fewer than 4 / 4 to 7 / 8 or more dependent children. Reckonable income must be under the threshold.
⭐ Special Rate maintenance + field trip + 100% tuition fees or 100% student contribution: €28,600 / €31,350 / €33,980 (+€4,950 per additional person in full-time or approved part-time study). Maintenance: €3,230 adjacent / €7,936 non-adjacent
🥇 Band 1 full maintenance + field trip + 100% fees or student contribution: €47,010 / €51,520 / €55,850 (+€4,950). Maintenance: €1,774 / €4,722
🥈 Band 2 part maintenance + field trip + 100% fees or student contribution: €48,270 / €52,900 / €57,345 (+€4,785). Maintenance: €1,343 / €3,532
🥉 Band 3 part maintenance + field trip + 100% fees or student contribution: €51,040 / €55,940 / €60,635 (+€4,785). Maintenance: €975 / €2,702
🏅 Band 4 part maintenance + field trip + 100% fees or student contribution: €58,470 / €64,080 / €69,465 (+€4,785). Maintenance: €612 / €1,866
🔹 No maintenance, 50% tuition fees or 100% student contribution: €64,315 / €70,490 / €76,410 (+€4,950)
🔸 No maintenance, 50% student contribution: €71,300 / €78,145 / €84,710 (+€4,950)
🎯 No maintenance, €500 student contribution: €120,000 / €131,520 / €142,570 (+€4,950)
📆 Maintenance amounts are the same in all dependent-children columns and are paid in 9 monthly instalments. The €500 Student Contribution Grant is a band within this grant, not a separate application.
2. Postgraduate Grant: Ireland and Northern Ireland
Postgraduate Grant Types for 2026/27
⭐ Special Rate of Grant: tuition fee grant up to €6,270 + maintenance
📜 Postgraduate Fee Contribution and Maintenance Grant: fee contribution up to €4,500 + maintenance
🧾 Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant: fee contribution up to €4,500 only
➕ The €4,500 is €4,000 + the €500 Budget 2026 increase (from January 2026). Special Rate students (€6,270) are excluded from the +€500.
Approved Postgraduate Courses
🎓 In the State: an approved institution, full-time, at least one year, leading to a major award at NFQ Level 8 (Higher Diploma), Level 9 (Postgraduate Diploma / Masters) or Level 10 (Doctorate)
🚫 Tuition students outside the State are not eligible
Approved Postgraduate Institutions in the State
🏛️ ATU, DCU, Maynooth, MTU, UCD, UCC, University of Galway, TCD, TU Dublin, TUS, SETU, UL
🏫 Dundalk IT, IADT Dún Laoghaire
🎨 NCAD, NCI, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College
⚖️ Prescribed courses at the Law Society, Pontifical College Maynooth, RCSI and King's Inns
The Four Approved Institutions in Northern Ireland
🎓 Queen's University Belfast: full-time postgraduate courses of not less than one year
📘 Ulster University: full-time postgraduate courses of not less than one year
🗣️ St Mary's College Belfast: PGCE (Irish Medium)
🍎 Stranmillis College: PGCE
2026/27 Postgraduate Thresholds and Amounts
Thresholds for fewer than 4 / 4 to 7 / 8 or more dependent children:
⭐ Special Rate tuition fee: €28,600 / €31,350 / €33,980 (+€4,950). Maximum tuition fee grant €6,270; maintenance €3,230 adjacent / €7,936 non-adjacent
🥇 Band 1 full maintenance + fee contribution: €47,010 / €51,520 / €55,850 (+€4,950). Fee contribution up to €4,500; maintenance €1,774 / €4,722
🥈 Band 2: €48,270 / €52,900 / €57,345 (+€4,785). €4,500; maintenance €1,343 / €3,532
🥉 Band 3: €51,040 / €55,940 / €60,635 (+€4,785). €4,500; maintenance €975 / €2,702
🏅 Band 4: €58,470 / €64,080 / €69,465 (+€4,785). €4,500; maintenance €612 / €1,866
🧾 Fee contribution only (no maintenance): €64,315 / €70,490 / €76,410 (+€4,950). Fee contribution up to €4,500
🗺️ The same table applies to postgraduate study at the four Northern Ireland institutions.
3. PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) Maintenance Grant
Approved PLC Courses
🏫 Courses at one of 170 PLC centres (list determined by SOLAS), in the State only
🕘 Full-time, lasting at least one year
🏅 Leading to a major award at NFQ Level 5 or 6 (or equivalent)
🏠 Maintenance grant only: a fee grant is not available for PLC courses
⏳ Maximum 3 years of funding at PLC level (Level 5)
🚫 Tuition students receive no SUSI funding for PLC; BTEA and VTOS recipients receive no maintenance
2026/27 PLC Thresholds and Maintenance Rates
Thresholds for fewer than 4 / 4 to 7 / 8 or more dependent children, then maintenance adjacent (under 30km) / non-adjacent (30km or more):
⭐ Special Rate: €28,600 / €31,350 / €33,980. Maintenance €3,230 / €7,936
🥇 Band 1 Full: €47,010 / €51,520 / €55,850. Maintenance €1,774 / €4,722
🥈 Band 2 Part: €48,270 / €52,900 / €57,345. Maintenance €1,343 / €3,532
🥉 Band 3 Part: €51,040 / €55,940 / €60,635. Maintenance €975 / €2,702
🏅 Band 4 Part: €58,470 / €64,080 / €69,465. Maintenance €612 / €1,866
➕ Increase per additional person: Special Rate and Band 1 +€4,950; Bands 2 to 4 +€4,785.
📅 PLC grants are paid in 9 instalments from 15 October 2026 to 10 June 2027, each month subject to college attendance confirmation.
4. Part-Time Undergraduate Fee Contribution
Eligibility for Part-Time Students
🛂 The same nationality, residency and progression rules apply
🏛️ A specified approved part-time course at an approved institution in the State
🏅 Leading to an NFQ Level 6, 7 or 8 major award
📚 An average of 30 to 50 ECTS credits per academic year
💶 Fee contribution only: there is no maintenance grant
🕒 Student earnings deduction of up to €8,830
2026/27 Income Threshold
📉 Reckonable income must be under €64,315 (fewer than 4 dependent children), €70,490 (4 to 7) or €76,410 (8 or more), +€4,950 per additional person in a full-time or approved part-time course.
Maximum Fee Contribution by ECTS Credits
1️⃣ 5 to 9 credits: €750
2️⃣ 10 to 14 credits: €1,500
3️⃣ 15 to 19 credits: €2,250
4️⃣ 20 to 24 credits: €3,000
5️⃣ 25 to 29 credits: €3,750
6️⃣ 30 to 34 credits: €4,500
7️⃣ 35 to 39 credits: €5,250
8️⃣ 40 to 44 credits: €6,000
9️⃣ 45 to 49 credits: €6,750
🔟 50 credits: €7,500
🧮 The contribution cannot exceed the course cost. For example, on a 30-credit course costing €5,000, SUSI pays €4,500 and the student pays €500.
🏦 The contribution is paid directly to the college after it confirms your credits.
5. Maintenance Grant for Undergraduate Study in the EU or UK
✈️ The maintenance grant is available to undergraduate students pursuing approved courses outside the Irish State.
🇪🇺 For an undergraduate course in the EU or UK, SUSI provides a Maintenance Grant only (no fee or student contribution grant).
📆 Paid in 9 monthly instalments.
🚫 Tuition students and BTEA recipients receive no maintenance; PLC-type courses abroad are not eligible.
🗺️ For postgraduate study outside the State, only the four Northern Ireland institutions are funded.
2026/27 Thresholds and Maintenance Rates for Study Abroad
Thresholds for fewer than 4 / 4 to 7 / 8 or more dependent children, increase per additional person, then maintenance adjacent / non-adjacent:
⭐ Special Rate: €28,600 / €31,350 / €33,980 (+€4,950). Maintenance €3,230 / €7,936
🥇 Band 1: €47,010 / €51,520 / €55,850 (+€4,950). Maintenance €1,774 / €4,722
🥈 Band 2: €48,270 / €52,900 / €57,345 (+€4,785). Maintenance €1,343 / €3,532
🥉 Band 3: €51,040 / €55,940 / €60,635 (+€4,785). Maintenance €975 / €2,702
🏅 Band 4: €58,470 / €64,080 / €69,465 (+€4,785). Maintenance €612 / €1,866
How to Apply for a SUSI Grant
🔍 Step 1: Check your eligibility, for example with SUSI's Eligibility Indicator.
👤 Step 2: Create your account in the SUSI Student Portal. You need your PPSN, name, date of birth, email and phone number. Renewing applicants log in with their username, password and PIN, or MyGovID Verified.
📝 Step 3: Complete and submit the online application form.
📂 Step 4: Return the documents requested in your checklist letter.
📬 Step 5: You receive an award letter or a refusal letter; a review or appeal is possible.
🎓 You do not need your Leaving Cert results or an accepted place to apply, and you can update your course choice later.
🔁 You must renew your application every year of your course.
Key Dates for 2026/27
🔄 Renewal applications opened on 5 March 2026 at 12 noon; the renewal priority closing date was 11 June 2026.
🆕 New applications opened on 1 April 2026 at 12 noon; the new application priority closing date was Thursday 9 July 2026.
📥 SUSI continues to accept applications after 9 July 2026, without priority assessment.
✅ As of 12 October 2026, SUSI is open for new applications for academic year 2026/27.
How and When SUSI Grants Are Paid
🏦 Maintenance is paid by EFT into the student's bank account (an open, active euro SEPA account), in 9 instalments, paid on Thursdays.
🏛️ Fee grants are paid directly to the college.
⏪ Late awards receive back payments in the first payment.
📋 To be paid, you need an award or renewal letter, to be registered with your college for 2026/27, the college must have confirmed your registration at least one week before the payment date, and your bank details must be submitted in the portal (if you see the reference W2627, resubmit your bank details).
Higher Education Payment Dates
🗓️ 10 September 2026, 8 October 2026, 12 November 2026, 10 December 2026, 14 January 2027, 11 February 2027, 11 March 2027, 8 April 2027, 6 May 2027
PLC Payment Dates
📅 15 October 2026, 19 November 2026, 10 December 2026, 21 January 2027, 18 February 2027, 18 March 2027, 22 April 2027, 13 May 2027, 10 June 2027 (subject to monthly attendance confirmation)
Find more grants and funding like SUSI in the Scholarships category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a SUSI grant?
Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss nationals, or people with a specific immigration status or leave to remain from the Department of Justice. You must also have lived in the Irish State, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years, have household income below the thresholds and be progressing to an approved higher-level course.
How much is the SUSI maintenance grant in 2026/27?
It depends on your band and distance from college. The highest rate is the Special Rate at €7,936 non-adjacent (30km or more) and €3,230 adjacent. Band 1 is €4,722 / €1,774, Band 2 €3,532 / €1,343, Band 3 €2,702 / €975 and Band 4 €1,866 / €612, paid in 9 instalments.
What is the 30km adjacency rule?
If your college is under 30km from your normal residence you get the adjacent rate; if it is 30km or more you get the non-adjacent rate. Distance is measured on Google Maps using the shortest route with Eircodes.
Which income year is assessed for 2026/27?
SUSI assesses gross income from all sources from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. Holiday earnings of full-time students are deducted up to €8,830.
Does SUSI fund postgraduate study?
Yes. Postgraduate students can get a Special Rate tuition fee grant of up to €6,270 plus maintenance, or a fee contribution of up to €4,500 with or without maintenance. Courses must be full-time, at least one year, at NFQ Level 8, 9 or 10, in the State or at four approved institutions in Northern Ireland.
Can I get a SUSI grant to study in another EU country or the UK?
Yes, for undergraduate study. SUSI pays a maintenance grant only (no fee grant) to undergraduate students on approved courses in the EU or UK. For postgraduate study outside the State, only the four Northern Ireland institutions are funded.
Is there a fee grant for PLC courses?
No. PLC students can receive a maintenance grant only, for full-time courses of at least one year at Level 5 or 6 in one of 170 PLC centres in the State. Tuition students get no SUSI funding for PLC courses.
How much does SUSI pay for part-time undergraduate courses?
SUSI pays a fee contribution only, based on ECTS credits: from €750 for 5 to 9 credits up to €7,500 for 50 credits. Income must be under €64,315 for households with fewer than 4 dependent children, and the contribution cannot exceed the course cost.
What is a "tuition student"?
If your three of the last five years of residency were in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland but not in the Irish State, you are a tuition student. You can receive a fee grant only, with no maintenance, and no SUSI funding for PLC courses.
Do I need my Leaving Cert results to apply?
No. You do not need your Leaving Cert results or an accepted place to apply, and you can update your course choice later. You must renew your application every year of your course.
Can I still apply after the priority closing date?
Yes. The new application priority closing date was 9 July 2026, but SUSI continues to accept applications after that date without priority assessment.
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
🖥️ SUSI Student Portal (create your account): https://grantsonline.ie/auth/esr.elogin
📝 Application form guide: https://www.susi.ie/how-to-apply/your-new-application-form-guide-/
🎓 Approved courses: https://www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/approved-courses/
🔍 Eligibility Indicator: https://www.susi.ie/eligibility-reckoner-app-irish/index.html
📂 Guide to supporting documents: https://www.susi.ie/applications-in-progress-next-steps/submitting-your-documents/
🌐 Official website: https://www.susi.ie
✉️ Support email: support@susi.ie
📞 Phone: 0818 888 777 (outside Ireland +353 1 966 3132), Monday to Friday 9:00 to 17:30
📮 Post: P.O. Box 869, Little Island, Cork
