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2023 Student Grant Scheme: Guidelines for an awarding authority
From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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An awarding authority has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 .
Exceptional circumstances may arise which could impact on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams. It will be necessary, therefore, for an awarding authority to treat each application for repeat funding on a case by case basis.
The following are matters that may be taken into account by an awarding authority in determining whether to exercise its discretion in respect of the provisions of Article 15(6) and (7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2023:
- Whether the nature of the circumstances documented by the applicant are sufficient to describe them as exceptional.
- When the circumstances occurred.
- The period of time over which the circumstances continued.
- How the circumstances impacted on the:
- applicant’s participation throughout the full academic year on their course of study
- applicant’s ability to take their end of year exams
- applicant’s ability to take/re-take their end of year exams at a later stage
- applicant’s ability to submit projects/thesis on time
- results from exams taken
- Whether the circumstances directly impacted on the applicant.
- Whether the circumstances happened to a third party and, if so, in what way they impacted on the applicant as a result.
- Whether documentary evidence provided by the applicant is sufficient to support the applicant’s case including whether the exceptional circumstances continued over a significant period of time or were just a once-off event.
- Whether the exceptional circumstances are of a nature that will impact on the applicant’s future career options.
- Whether the exceptional circumstances are likely to reoccur.
- Any other matters which, in the opinion of an awarding authority, are proper matters to be taken into account in exercising its discretion to waive the provisions of Article 15(6) and (7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2023.
In relation to the Leaving Certificate Examination 2022, a student shall remain eligible to apply for SUSI grant assistance in respect of the repeat period of first year study, if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Sat the Leaving Certificate examinations in 2022
- Successfully appealed one or more of the their Leaving Certificate results
- Received an improved CAO offer on foot of these Leaving Certificate appeals for the 2023/24 academic year
- Choose to accept that improved CAO offer
The maintenance grant, whether the full and part standard maintenance grants, and the special rates of maintenance grant shall be paid at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rates. The awarding authority shall determine the rate that applies in respect of an eligible student.
The lower adjacent rates shall be paid where the awarding authority establishes that the distance from the student’s normal residence to the institution where the approved course takes place is less than 30km.
The higher non-adjacent rates shall be paid where the awarding authority establishes that the distance from the student’s normal residence to the institution where the approved course takes place is 30km or more.
“normal residence” means a student’s usual place of residence. For a dependent student his will be the permanent or home address of the dependent student’s parents. In the case of an independent student, the normal residence will be the permanent or home address of the independent student.
Article 27(3)(a) of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 provides that the distance criterion will be measured in line with guidelines agreed by the Minister. The following guidelines set out the matters to be considered by the awarding authority when establishing the criteria to be applied to determine whether the adjacent or non-adjacent rate of grant is payable.
The shortest most direct route from the applicant’s normal residence to the institution where the approved course takes place applies.
In determining the shortest most direct route the awarding authority shall establish the:
- method for measuring a route
- factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route
The awarding authority’s criteria for measuring a route must be accessible, particularly to the applicant, the appeals officer and the Student Grants Appeals Board.
Arrangements for the apportionment of grants for students undertaking the Professional Practice Course Parts I and II in Blackhall Place and the Accelerated Technician Programme are as follows:
Professional Practice Course (Part I):
The tuition fee payable will be subject to two thirds of the maximum fee limit, provided for in Schedule 4 of the Scheme, applicable on commencement of PPC - Part I.
Professional Practice Course (Part II):
The tuition fee payable will be one third of the maximum fee limit, provided for in Schedule 4 of the Scheme, applicable on commencement of PPC - Part II.
Professional Practice Course (Part I):
The postgraduate fee contribution will be subject to two thirds of the rate provided for in Schedule 4 of the Scheme, applicable on commencement of PPC - Part I.
Professional Practice Course (Part II):
The postgraduate fee contribution will be one third of the rate, provided for in Schedule 4 of the Scheme, applicable on commencement of PPC - Part II.
Professional Practice Course (Part I):
Two thirds of the annual Postgraduate Special Rate of maintenance grant will be payable at the current rate specified in Schedule 3 of the Scheme.
Professional Practice Course (Part II):
One third of the annual Postgraduate Special Rate of maintenance grant will be payable at the current rate specified in Schedule 3 of the Scheme.
The rates of grant payable to students on the Accelerated Technicians Programme in approved institutions will be in accordance with the rates specified in Schedule 3 of the Scheme.
The Accelerated Technician Programme can vary in length, therefore, students undertaking the programme are paid a grant on a pro rata basis for a period up to a maximum of 36 weeks in any one academic year.
The maintenance grant is not paid during any period of paid placement.
Student’s appropriate rate of grant is divided by 36 (standard number of weeks in an academic year) multiplied by the number of weeks for the particular ATP course (less any paid placement period).
ATP with 22 weeks term time:
Student commences course in January, the course has a 22-week duration and the student qualifies for the adjacent special rate of maintenance grant which is €2,936 for 2023. The following would be the calculation:
- €2,936 ÷ 36 x 22 = €1,794
