Minister Harris announces cost of education package to assist third-level students and their families with return to college
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 4 January 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has announced a significant package of supports for third level students and researchers.
The package, secured in the Budget, will allow for:
- increases of up to €342 in maintenance grants from next week
- the re-introduction of maintenance grants worth up to €2,384 to eligible post-graduate students
- a €3,000 increase in the stipend for PhD researchers funded by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland
These increases will take effect this week and will see money back in people’s pockets as students and their families prepare for the return to college.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“This is a really important increase at a difficult time for families across the country.
“The cost-of-living has had a real impact on families. This investment, made as part of a wider package of supports in Budget 2024, will see eligible students receive an increased student maintenance grant.
“For some that can mean a total of €342 between now and May and a total increase of €615 in their grant rate for the year.
“For others, it will see the return of post-graduate maintenance grants at all levels for the first time since the economic crash.
“This will put €2,384 into the pocket of those postgrads who will become eligible for the highest rate of increase between now and May.”
This cost of education package is in addition to the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for eligible undergraduate students.
Minister Harris is also announcing a once-off increase to the Student Assistance Fund of €1,476,541 million bringing the total investment to over €19 million.
Minister Harris added:
“Since this department was established, we have made important changes. We know there is much more to do but I really do believe our record shows we are standing up for families and making sure that cost is not a barrier to accessing education.”
The once off increase to the Student Assistance Fund will provide additional financial support to eligible full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost of living while attending college and brings the total available funding for the 2023/24 academic year to over €19 million.
Minister Harris added:
“I am delighted to be in a position to increase the support available to help students in this academic year.
“I am conscious of the fact that the cost of attending college has increased and this extra funding will support students who are experiencing financial trouble while attending higher education institutions. It is a valuable assistance for students in need of help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be used towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials.”
Notes
Changes to the Student Grant
Maintenance Grant Changes for Undergraduates, PLC students and for Postgraduate students who are eligible for the special rate of grant
| Rate | Current Maintenance Grant Rate | 24/25 Grant Rate | Increase to Student 24/25 | Increase to student from Jan to May 24 | |
| Non Adjacent Special Rate | €6,971 | €7,586 | €615 | €342 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 1 | €3,677 | €4,292 | €615 | €342 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 2 | €2,717 | €3,332 | €615 | €342 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 3 | €1,887 | €2,502 | €615 | €342 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 4 | €1,051 | €1,666 | €615 | €342 | |
| Adjacent Special | €2,936 | €3,230 | €294 | €163 | |
| Adjacent Band 1 | €1,613 | €1,774 | €161 | €90 | |
| Adjacent Band 2 | €1,221 | €1,343 | €122 | €68 | |
| Adjacent Band 3 | €886 | €975 | €89 | €49 | |
| Adjacent Band 4 | €556 | €612 | €56 | €31 |
Changes to Postgraduate Supports
| Rate | Current Maintenance Grant Rate | 24/25 Grant Rate | Increase to student from Jan to May 24 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 1 | €0 | €4,292 | €2,384 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 2 | €0 | €3,332 | €1,851 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 3 | €0 | €2,502 | €1,390 | |
| Non Adjacent Band 4 | €0 | €1,666 | €926 | |
| Adjacent Band 1 | €0 | €1,774 | €986 | |
| Adjacent Band 2 | €0 | €1,343 | €746 | |
| Adjacent Band 3 | €0 | €975 | €541 | |
| Adjacent Band 4 | €0 | €612 | €340 |
Student Assistance Fund
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is managed by the HEA on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The SAF is allocated to HEIs. The SAF has a dual focus and is designed to support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with ongoing needs for financial support and provide emergency financial assistance for other students. In all cases, HEIs are responsible for targeting the available resources towards those students most in need.
How a student applies for the SAF
An eligible student can apply through the access office in the institution they are attending.
What the SAF pays for
The SAF is available to assist students, who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including:
- books and other class material that are required to enable students to continue and participate in teaching and learning or complete examinations
- rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, such as mobile phone data plans, that are required to enable students to continue and participate in teaching and learning or complete examinations
- food
- essential travel
- childcare costs
- medical costs
- family difficulties, such as bereavement
The above list is not exhaustive. Eligible costs are decided on a case-by-case basis by the access office, in line with the scheme guidelines.
Who can apply for the SAF
The SAF is open to students who are:
- attending a course that leads to a higher education award from level 6 to level 10 of the NFQ
- studying at one of the eligible HEIs listed below
Breakdown of Additional Funding
| Institution | Amount per institution € | |
| Dublin City University | 96,375 | |
| Maynooth University | 92,346 | |
| University of Galway | 101,727 | |
| Trinity College Dublin | 84,086 | |
| University College Cork | 109,820 | |
| University College Dublin | 124,789 | |
| University of Limerick | 94,069 | |
| Mary Immaculate College | 31,671 | |
| National College of Art and Design | 7,426 | |
| ATU St. Angela’s College | 8,879 | |
| Technological University of the Shannon | 96,245 | |
| Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dun Laoghaire | 13,201 | |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology | 37,164 | |
| South East Technological University | 146,029 | |
| ATU Sligo | 48,527 | |
| ATU Donegal | 50,799 | |
| ATU Galway/Mayo | 51,918 | |
| Munster Technological University | 85,418 | |
| Technological University Dublin | 173,568 | |
| Marino Institute of Education | 8,050 | |
| National College of Ireland | 11,165 | |
| St. Patricks College Pontifical University of Maynooth | 1,316 | |
| Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland | 1,954 | |
| Total | 1,476,541 |