SUSI Student Grant
Last checked August 2026
What it is
The main means-tested grant for third-level fees and living costs, including for an approved course in the UK or another EU/EEA country. The priority assessment deadline for the 2026/27 year has passed, but you can still apply, there is a later final deadline, check the official page for the current date.
- What changed for 2026/27: the student contribution charge is permanently down €500 to €2,500, the income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant rose from €115,000 to €120,000, the special rate threshold rose from €27,400 to €28,600, and the postgraduate fee contribution grant rose by €500 to €4,500.
- Studying outside Ireland does not rule you out on its own, for an UNDERGRADUATE course: an approved full-time course in the UK, including Northern Ireland, or another EU, EEA or Swiss country can qualify, though it is the maintenance grant that travels, the fee supports attach to Irish institutions. Postgraduate is different: SUSI only covers postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland, so a Masters in England, Scotland or Wales gets nothing from SUSI.
- A different, separate rule applies if you yourself (not your course) have been living in the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland rather than Ireland for 3 of the last 5 years: you are classed as a 'tuition student', eligible for the fee grant only, not the maintenance grant, wherever you study.
- You cannot get some social welfare payments at the same time as a student grant.
How to apply
Applications go through SUSI. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 8 August 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Can I get a SUSI grant if my child is studying in the UK or another EU country?
For a full-time undergraduate course, yes in most cases: an approved course in the UK, including Northern Ireland, or another EU, EEA or Swiss country can qualify, subject to the normal nationality, residence and means conditions. What travels abroad is the maintenance grant, the fee supports apply to Irish institutions. Postgraduate is different: SUSI only covers postgraduate courses in Ireland and Northern Ireland, so a Masters in England, Scotland or Wales gets nothing from SUSI.
How much is the student contribution charge for 2026/27?
€2,500. It was permanently cut by €500 from €3,000. If your household income is under €120,000 you pay no more than €2,000, because the €500 student contribution grant covers the rest, and at lower incomes SUSI covers half or all of the charge, so €2,000 is the most an eligible family pays, not the standard bill.
Related guides
Not sure if this one is you?
Describe your situation in your own words and the assistant shows every support you might qualify for, this one included. Free, no sign up, anonymous.
Check what you might qualify for →Grants change all the time.
Leave your email and I will tell you if the SUSI Student Grant changes, or a new support opens that fits you. It is free and there is no spam.