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Background

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is the single awarding authority for all student  grant applications since the 2012/13 academic year. If you are a new student or changing course you should apply to SUSI through this website.

The student grant application system is an “Online application system” and is accessed here at studentfinance.ie. To assist all applicants there is a SUSI Support Desk which will provide extended opening hours for email queries and telephone queries. Contact details are in the SUSI Support Desk section.

SUSI has a Nationwide Mentoring Network in place to assist applicants who might have access issues using the online system. You should contact the SUSI Support Desk for additional information on this network.

Remember you do not have to have confirmed your final choice of college or course to apply for a student grant.

Who should apply to SUSI

If you held a student grant prior to 2012/2013, and are continuing your studies on this course in the 2013-14 academic year, the renewal or re-assessment of your grant for 2013-14 will be carried out by your current local authority or VEC: you should not apply to SUSI.

The following students should submit an online application to SUSI:

• a student who completed the Leaving Certificate in 2013;
• a student who never previously pursued a Post Leaving Certificate course (PLC), an approved undergraduate course or an approved postgraduate course;
• a student who completed an approved course in 2012-13, or a previous academic year, and hopes to pursue a further course in 2013-14, including those pursuing an “add-on” course in 2013-14;
• a student who attended but did not complete a course in 2012-13, or a previous academic year, and hopes to pursue an approved course in 2013-14;

Register to make an Application

To make an application all you have to do is click on the SUSI icon on the student grant page and register your personal details. You will need your PPS number and an e-mail address. This e-mail address can only be used for one registration/application as it will be a contact reference for interaction with SUSI. You will be asked to input a password, again select one that you can remember as you will be unable to access your online application without it.

Completing an Application

Once you have registered you can commence your application. Having read steps 1 to 4 you will have the necessary details to answer the question as they arise. The online system will prompt you through each section. As you go through the questions you can click on the symbol for a more detailed explanation of what is required for that question. You can also save and come back to your application as often as you need to.

It may be helpful if you and anyone helping you with your application take the time to watch the SUSI-Guide to completing the grants online application.

Submitting the Application 

When you are happy that you have completed your application correctly, all you do is hit the “Submit ”button on the last page of the online application form. Once your application has been submitted you will only be able to change your contact details by using the ‘Change Your Personal Details’ section on the main menu. Note: you will not be able to make changes to any other section of your application. After you submit your application, the system will send you an email with a copy of your application for information purposes only.

Next Stage

The SUSI assessment team will contact you by post after they have completed an initial assessment of your application. Following this initial assessment you will be asked to submit photocopies of documentary evidence to support your application. You will be sent a personalised SUSI document pack which will include:

• A schedule of the documents (photocopies only required) that are required from you to process your application further;
• A personalised declaration form that needs to be signed by all parties to your application;
• Explanation notes on the specific documents requested and guidance on where to get any documents required;
• A pre-addressed envelope to facilitate the return of your documents to SUSI.

All SUSI postal correspondence will be addressed to the applicant and will display the SUSI logo on the envelope.

In the event of any difficulty or query in relation to the documents requested, contact the SUSI Support Desk for assistance.

Returning your Documents

You must return:

• Your application Declaration Form signed by all parties to your application;
• Your personalised document list together with photocopies of all your required documents at the same time in the pre-addressed envelope provided.

Next Step

SUSI will then assess your application with the documents provided by you and advise you if you are provisionally awarded for a student grant for the 2013-14 academic year. You will be notified of the final step of the application process which you need to complete when you have selected your final college/course.

Payment of Student Grants

When your registration for an approved course at an approved college has been confirmed SUSI will arrange to pay your student grant on a monthly basis directly into your Irish bank account.

SUSI Support Desk

The SUSI Support desk is the single contact point for all e-mail and telephone queries. The SUSI Support Desk will provide email and telephone support from 9.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. on Saturdays. Contact details are in the SUSI Support Desk section.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have published a number of frequently asked general questions (FAQs) and answers on the student grant scheme to assist you in the SUSI online application process.