Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward

chatnoir87 · 01-11-2012 9:36pm

Hey all, I was wondering if any one knows what this means. I surprisingly received a letter from SUSI this morning dated October 9th and it said (to my delight) that, (as a postgraduate student) I have been awarded 100% tuition fees AND 100% student contribution (subject to a maximum of €6,270). Does this mean that I get the 2000 AND 6270 off my fees?

I phoned up and the poor girl hadn't a clue. Any insight into this would be great.. Thanks allot!

galwaygirrl · 20-11-2012 1:09am

Hi, I was just told I was awarded contribution only for my postgraduate studies, but I only earned 7,000 in 2011 as I was in a coma for a lot of the year and am on disability now. If I dont qualify for tuition fees to be paid, who does? Anyone know?

Annasopra · 21-11-2012 9:05am

chatnoir87 wrote: »

Hey all, I was wondering if any one knows what this means. I surprisingly received a letter from SUSI this morning dated October 9th and it said (to my delight) that, (as a postgraduate student) I have been awarded 100% tuition fees AND 100% student contribution (subject to a maximum of €6,270). Does this mean that I get the 2000 AND 6270 off my fees?

I phoned up and the poor girl hadn't a clue. Any insight into this would be great.. Thanks allot!

No.

You only get a grant of upto 6270 towards fees. This is paid direct to the college.

galwaygirrl · 26-11-2012 4:25pm

I only earned €7,000 in 2011 as I was in hospital very ill for a long time. SUSI say all I can get awarded is €2,000 towards my masters course. This cant be right can it? Are they not saying that for postgraduate students they'll pay the full tuition fees? I know there's no maintenance grant available. Does anyone have any idea? Ive appealed, but it doesnt sound hopeful as they havent even replied whe I asked them to confirm recipt!

galwaygirrl · 26-11-2012 4:28pm

"Hey all, I was wondering if any one knows what this means. I surprisingly received a letter from SUSI this morning dated October 9th and it said (to my delight) that, (as a postgraduate student) I have been awarded 100% tuition fees AND 100% student contribution (subject to a maximum of €6,270)" chatnoir

I dont understand it, so they do pay postgraduate fees in full then! I can't imagine your income was lower than mine at 7,000, even if you were an undergrad you'd be on more than this...I wonder why mine was only contribution

psydiffer · 09-01-2013 2:37am

Oh my God, I can't believe this. How did this work out for you??

chatnoir87 · 09-01-2013 2:47am

galwaygirrl wrote: »

"Hey all, I was wondering if any one knows what this means. I surprisingly received a letter from SUSI this morning dated October 9th and it said (to my delight) that, (as a postgraduate student) I have been awarded 100% tuition fees AND 100% student contribution (subject to a maximum of €6,270)" chatnoir

I dont understand it, so they do pay postgraduate fees in full then! I can't imagine your income was lower than mine at 7,000, even if you were an undergrad you'd be on more than this...I wonder why mine was only contribution

Hi Galwaygirl, sorry I never got a notification of your reply, don't worry, I received a letter in December saying they've reviewed my situation to give me 2,000 contribution which is infuriating!!! Appealed it on 4th Dec, still no reply!

aghhhhh!!!! I earned 17k in 2011. Ridiculous that we shouldn't qualify because we've never claimed social. Hope you get a better response.

psydiffer · 13-01-2013 1:04am

The cost of most postgraduate courses in psychology in Ireland is on average e1,000 more than what SUSI contribute to fees. Then, they don't even allow maintenance. JOKE of a government.

thepoker5 · 28-01-2013 10:55pm

hi, i a only seeings these posts now...Has anybody heard if students in university of ulster get their postgrad fees payed for?

spunkbass · 29-01-2013 12:46am

they called me today and said i got the contrbution + fees for postgrad. however the same thing happened to my housemate, but then they changed it to just 2000 contribution. so until my college receives the money i remain sceptical...

pinkdiamond · 29-01-2013 5:25pm

just curious- is there many governments that pay full fees and maintenance for postgrad students?

thepoker5 · 29-01-2013 7:20pm

Spunkbass..what do youmean you got the contribution and the fees paid for postgrad...does that mean you got your fees payed for and a contribution on top??
Also when all of your documents where given into susi, what was the timeframe of you getting word??

lauras91 · 07-02-2013 2:51pm

Hi all,
Just thought some people might be interested in this information. I got the fee contribution from SUSI for my masters (which paid my all of my fees), and because of that I also got back the 200euro deposit.. (the college (NUI Maynooth) paid this back and not SUSI).
Just in case there are others who could get this back but weren't aware!
Laura

Musefan · 12-02-2013 11:25am

lauras91 wrote: »

Hi all,
Just thought some people might be interested in this information. I got the fee contribution from SUSI for my masters (which paid my all of my fees), and because of that I also got back the 200euro deposit.. (the college (NUI Maynooth) paid this back and not SUSI).
Just in case there are others who could get this back but weren't aware!
Laura

Hi Laura, did your award letter say you were awarded full tuition fees? Just wondering what my appeal letter means!

mackg · 13-02-2013 1:47am

Musefan wrote: »

Hi Laura, did your award letter say you were awarded full tuition fees? Just wondering what my appeal letter means!

What does it say exactly?

FOS5252 · 03-03-2013 6:05pm

Hi sorry if this has been asked before,

I have qualify for the A1 undergraduate grant for 2012-2013.

Under the new guidelines am I entilited to the full maximum fee limit or the €2000 limit?

Thank you

Annasopra · 03-03-2013 7:15pm

FOS5252 wrote: »

Hi sorry if this has been asked before,

I have qualify for the A1 undergraduate grant for 2012-2013.

Under the new guidelines am I entilited to the full maximum fee limit or the €2000 limit?

Thank you

It's impossible for us to say.

If you are getting the special rate grant then it might be likely but the income limits are going down and there are always rule changes from year to year.

Really we cannot say.

whoopssinead · 06-03-2013 9:14pm

Hi all,
Just got notified that I get full fees paid for my course, (€4910) but when I applied in August I was told I would only get 2000 towards fees. But I only got this this last week, meaning I had to cover the first semester fees myself, and them got them refunded. Just letting you guys know, there is still hope if you were told the same as me.

PeakOutput · 20-03-2013 6:35pm

I am going to be returning to Ireland in a couple of months. I have been accepted into a masters in ucd were the fees are around 2750. this is after the fees being reduced from around 6k under some government development scheme.

I am 27 and dont / wont have a job when I get back and will probably be living with my parents to begin with.

I am just looking for general information on what I can apply for and what I might be entitled to and the terms and conditions that I would have to meet.

anyone got any ideas of were I can start?

Annasopra · 24-03-2013 10:13am

PeakOutput wrote: »

I am going to be returning to Ireland in a couple of months. I have been accepted into a masters in ucd were the fees are around 2750. this is after the fees being reduced from around 6k under some government development scheme.

I am 27 and dont / wont have a job when I get back and will probably be living with my parents to begin with.

I am just looking for general information on what I can apply for and what I might be entitled to and the terms and conditions that I would have to meet.

anyone got any ideas of were I can start?

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/postgraduate_student_grant.html

PeakOutput · 25-03-2013 6:24pm

mango salsa wrote: »

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/third_level_education/fees_and_supports_for_third_level_education/postgraduate_student_grant.html

Thanks.

So accordng to the faq the definition of an independant student is someone who is over 23 and didnt live with their parents on october 1st of the year before they are entering their postgrad course. Is that the correct interpretation?

I am 27 and havnt lived at home for about 6 years but I will probably be moving back to do the masters. Any ideas if I will be considered an independant student?

bennyineire · 27-03-2013 3:14pm

@ Peak , as far as I know you have to heaved lived in Ireland 3 out of the last 5 years to be considered for any grant, which in your case is bad news, I guess you will need to contact SUSI or the citizens advise bureau to check this out

PeakOutput · 27-03-2013 7:17pm

bennyineire wrote: »

@ Peak , as far as I know you have to heaved lived in Ireland 3 out of the last 5 years to be considered for any grant, which in your case is bad news, I guess you will need to contact SUSI or the citizens advise bureau to check this out

Thanks, I actually meet that criteria I just havnt lived with my parents for around 6 years and I have been out of ireland for the last year and a half so should be good as far as that goes.

Annasopra · 29-03-2013 6:00pm

PeakOutput wrote: »

Thanks.

So accordng to the faq the definition of an independant student is someone who is over 23 and didnt live with their parents on october 1st of the year before they are entering their postgrad course. Is that the correct interpretation?

I am 27 and havnt lived at home for about 6 years but I will probably be moving back to do the masters. Any ideas if I will be considered an independant student?

http://www.studentfinance.ie/downloads/1339418623/Student_Grant_Scheme_2012.pdf

(3) In this scheme an “independent student” means a mature student who did not ordinarily reside with his or her parents, or either of them, from 1 October of the year before the first point of entry to an approved post leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course or re-entry to an approved course.

As I read it if you are living away from home and only move back in a week or so before your course starts you would still be considered independent

murra · 29-04-2013 12:24am

Hi folks,

Haven't got a clue about all this grant business so please excuse my ignorance.

Plan on doing a masters starting in September 2013.

If my dad ears over 100k a year am I entitled to any form of grant, taking into consideration that I am paying for the masters myself and he is giving me no dollar towards it.

any info is much appreciated.

Annasopra · 29-04-2013 7:36am

murra wrote: »

Hi folks,

Haven't got a clue about all this grant business so please excuse my ignorance.

Plan on doing a masters starting in September 2013.

If my dad ears over 100k a year am I entitled to any form of grant, taking into consideration that I am paying for the masters myself and he is giving me no dollar towards it.

any info is much appreciated.

It depends on many things
Do you live at home?

murra · 29-04-2013 5:57pm

mango salsa wrote: »

It depends on many things
Do you live at home?

Ye I live at home with my parents and they have paid for my education up to this point, I will also be living at home during the masters as well.

paperclip2 · 30-04-2013 9:46am

If you were living at home on the 1st October last your parents income will be taken into account when assessing your means.
Last years reckonable income rates for post grad fee support are here: http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp9543/postgraduate-students/index.html

To my knowledge the income limits were reduced by 3% in the budget but I'm open to correction on this.

Annasopra · 30-04-2013 10:02am

murra wrote: »

Ye I live at home with my parents and they have paid for my education up to this point, I will also be living at home during the masters as well.

If you were living at home in October 2012 and your Dad earns 100,000 it is unlikely you will get a grant. For postgrad fee grants of 2,000 euro the income limit in 2012 is 31,5000. In 2013 income limits reduce by 3%.

Annasopra · 30-04-2013 10:05am

paperclip2 wrote: »

To my knowledge the income limits were reduced by 3% in the budget but I'm open to correction on this.

This is true. It is stated on the Dept of Education website and the Citizens Information website.

murra · 30-04-2013 12:40pm

mango salsa wrote: »

If you were living at home in October 2012 and your Dad earns 100,000 it is unlikely you will get a grant. For postgrad fee grants of 2,000 euro the income limit in 2012 is 31,5000. In 2013 income limits reduce by 3%.

Ye I dont think I have much hope. The Postgrad is costing €8500.
It is extremely unfair that I cant get a grant. My dad has nothing to do with payment of the course. So basically I earn around €10,000 a year from part time work and cant get a grant .

Absolute joke:mad:

timmy the toolman · 14-07-2013 4:26pm

if my parents combined income is roughly 31,680 does this mean i wont qualify if the limit is 31,500. is there any amount just over the limit that they might consider?

spunkbass · 14-07-2013 4:32pm

timmy the toolman wrote: »

if my parents combined income is roughly 31,680 does this mean i wont qualify if the limit is 31,500. is there any amount just over the limit that they might consider?

They are always really strict on everythng. I remember I was 11 days short of 3 years residency in Ireland to get a full maintenance grant for my undergrad and they would not let it slide. But its always worth a shot.

timmy the toolman · 14-07-2013 4:37pm

thats what i was thinking. id say there would have been some chance if it was the locals instead of susi

spunkbass · 14-07-2013 5:02pm

timmy the toolman wrote: »

thats what i was thinking. id say there would have been some chance if it was the locals instead of susi

Yes, However my case was back in the time when the councils were doing the grants.

You may get something. Give it a shot.

April O Neill · 14-07-2013 6:06pm

mango salsa wrote: »

If you were living at home in October 2012 and your Dad earns 100,000 it is unlikely you will get a grant. For postgrad fee grants of 2,000 euro the income limit in 2012 is 31,5000. In 2013 income limits reduce by 3%.

Damn, my income for the year 2012 was ~31300. (Inheritance plus job earnings) Going by this, I'm just going to miss out if there's a 3% reduction.

They asked for documentation though, surely if I was above the limit they wouldn't have bothered?

EDIT: No, wait, the threshold is still 31500 for 2013/14! \o/

Scriptellie · 30-07-2013 3:08pm

Does anyone know if you can pursue a masters in QUB and get the tuition fee or does that only apply to ROI colleges?

Annasopra · 30-07-2013 3:11pm

Scriptellie wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can pursue a masters in QUB and get the tuition fee

Yes

http://www.susi.ie/Susi/media/susi/SI-158-of-2013-Student-Support-Regulations-2013_Final.pdf?ext=.pdf

Approved Postgraduate Courses in Northern Ireland
Queen’s University, Belfast
Full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration

Scriptellie · 30-07-2013 3:15pm

Thanks for replying so quick!! I rang SUSIE and the girl said that they pay just the €2000 fee but that was after some debate as to whether QUB was an approved college and I had to convince her that it was. So basically, is it just the €2,000 or is it eligible for the tuition fee? I read the regulations but I'm still confused

Wee Ollie · 31-07-2013 7:05am

I've already posted this in State Benefits but I'm posting it here too as it relates to Masters.

I am on Disability Allowance and am thinking about applying for an MSc Programme which has a bursary of €8000 per year over 2 years. An informal discussion with someone from Social Welfare suggests that this will be treated as cash income and will effectively wipe out my DA.

Anyone got any knowledge or experience of this and know is that correct?

I'm wondering if the college pays me the stipend through their payroll and I get an appropriate letter from my doctor, could I claim it as rehabilitative employment?

Michael.. · 16-05-2015 9:45am

I have just applied for a masters but I've being looking at the income thresholds for SUSI and they look very low. I am 27 and I'm currently living in my parents house. The household income is about €55,000. Going by the figures below this is way over. May be somebody who has got the grant could let me know if the figures below are correct.

Also, I recently just switched from Back To Education Allowance to Job Seekers Benefit. The social welfare said because I am over 26 my Job Seekers Benefit is not means tested. Just wondering does the same apply to the SUSI grant. ie is it only my income taken in account.

Postgraduate fee contribution
(special rate)

€22,703 Less than 4 children
€22,703 Between 4 and 7 children
€22,703 8 or more children
0
Postgraduate fee contribution
(standard rate)

€31,500 Less than 4 children
€34,615 Between 4 and 7 children
€37,580 8 or more children
+€4,980

Wee Ollie · 19-05-2015 11:29am

The figures look about right but you have to look at how the reckonable income is arrived at. Your own situation also comes into it - some SW payments, for example, automatically entitle you to the fee grant though not the maintenance grant.

Spend some time on the CitizensInformation.ie and the StudentFinance.ie sites - I'm not allowed to post urls but they are easy to figure out.

Wee Ollie · 19-05-2015 11:33am

Also look at the Springboard courses.

Sup08 · 22-05-2015 11:45am

Wee Ollie wrote: »

The figures look about right but you have to look at how the reckonable income is arrived at. Your own situation also comes into it - some SW payments, for example, automatically entitle you to the fee grant though not the maintenance grant.

Spend some time on the CitizensInformation.ie and the StudentFinance.ie sites - I'm not allowed to post urls but they are easy to figure out.

There is no sw payment that automatically entitles an applicant to a fee grant.
The grant for post graduate studies is €2000 euro or €6250 if the applicants total household income is less that €22,703 with a qualifying sw payment.

The threshold to qualify for the €2000 post graduate Contribution is €31,500 for the total household income, including the applicants and their parents or legal guardians.

davedanon · 27-11-2015 12:45pm

We, or rather our son, has just been turned down for a grant as we are just over the eligibility limit in terms of total income. The combined income of myself, my wife and the son in question is not quite €700 (seven hundred) over the limit. I want to appeal this, but am not sure of what grounds to invoke. Should I be trying to re-submit 're-jigged' financial details that don't exceed the limit? Is this even allowed? Would be grateful for any help at all.

Sup08 · 27-11-2015 11:38pm

davedanon wrote: »

We, or rather our son, has just been turned down for a grant as we are just over the eligibility limit in terms of total income. The combined income of myself, my wife and the son in question is not quite €700 (seven hundred) over the limit. I want to appeal this, but am not sure of what grounds to invoke. Should I be trying to re-submit 're-jigged' financial details that don't exceed the limit? Is this even allowed? Would be grateful for any help at all.

A: SUSI have the wrong figures:

If your finances are indeed different from what SUSI have returned in their assessment, then you can ask for a review and submit the evidence that shows the difference.
You must be aware first that SUSI do have direct links with Government Departments (Social Welfare and Revenue) and get exact amounts of income through theses streams.

B: Change in Circumstances:

If you believe that you've had a change in circumstances from your income for 2014 compared to 2015, then you can apply for a change in circumstances and your income for 2015 will be assessed. But beware, you will be re-assessed for the 2016/17 academic year based on the Revenue and SW figures for 2015.
If the figures from the streams show that there was no change in your circumstances for 2015 compared to 2014, then SUSI will take action to recover any payments/overpayments.

C: The figures are correct

Your appeal will be unsuccessful, even if you were over the threshold by €1

davedanon · 28-11-2015 3:24pm

Thanks for that. You seem to speak with some authority. Are they really that draconian? One Euro over the limit and that's it? No leeway at all? That seems desperately harsh.

Sup08 · 28-11-2015 6:34pm

davedanon wrote: »

Are they really that draconian? One Euro over the limit and that's it? No leeway at all? That seems desperately harsh.

The limits are set out by the minister for education in the Statuary Instrument (Student Grant Scheme) each year and if the limits were flexible, where would the flexibility stop.
Would the various thresholds be flexible to give people on lower grants better grants. Then the funding from government would also have to have some flexibility, but unfortunately it doesn't.

€1 or €1000, it is still over what the Minister has set as the thresholds.

If the grant system changes to something more closely to the UK model, it would be a much fairer system giving access to everyone, regardless of their income at the time of applying. Get education now, pay back later.

davedanon · 28-11-2015 6:46pm

Sup08 wrote: »

The limits are set out by the minister for education in the Statuary Instrument (Student Grant Scheme) each year and if the limits were flexible, where would the flexibility stop.
Would the various thresholds be flexible to give people on lower grants better grants. Then the funding from government would also have to have some flexibility, but unfortunately it doesn't.

€1 or €1000, it is still over what the Minister has set as the thresholds.

If the grant system changes to something more closely to the UK model, it would be a much fairer system giving access to everyone, regardless of their income at the time of applying. Get education now, pay back later.

Thanks for the help.

splashuum · 20-07-2018 3:30pm

Earlier this month I was only awarded a fee contribution by SUSI as I was over the threshold. I then asked for my outcome to be reviewed by applying online and included proof of my “change of circumstances”. Upon review I was granted the full award. I would advise people to do the same if you are receiving less income in 2018 in comparison to 2017.

Also does anyone know is postgrad maintanence paid monthly or in one “lump” sum?

***Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward***

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Grant Regulations for Masters Students from 2012/2013 onward