MINISTER for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has announced further improvements to the Student Support Scheme for 2021/2022 academic year.
The Student Support Scheme provides grants, in line with the current Student Grant Scheme (SUSI), to eligible school leavers who are in the international protection system (except those at the deportation order stage) and who are either: asylum applicants, subsidiary protection applicants, or, leave to remain applicants.
Applicants in the broad protection system who want supports to pursue PLC courses, undergraduate courses or postgraduate courses will be required to meet the definition of a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage (other than those at the deportation order stage). Have been accepted on an approved post-leaving certificate undergraduate or postgraduate course. And have been part of an application for protection or leave to remain for a combined period of three years on 31 August 2021
The 2021 scheme will fund postgraduate studies for the first time, following changes made last year. Funding is aligned to the statutory Student Grant Scheme, with a maximum amount of €6,270 for fees and up to a maximum of €5,915 for maintenance support.
Minister Harris said: I’m delighted to announce the further expansion of this scheme to fund postgraduate courses for 2021. This financial support provides a valuable opportunity for eligible students in difficult situations to access further and higher education, resulting in more inclusive campuses and ultimately a more diverse workforce for our economy
Charlotte Byrne, Education Officer with the Irish Refugee Council, on arrival of this announcement said: “We are delighted to welcome the news. This is something we had raised in our response to the Public Consultation, and again at our meeting with Minister Harris in January 2021 and we are grateful to him for taking our opinion into consideration
Minister Harris finished by saying: “I have always put a strong focus on supporting vulnerable groups. I would encourage all prospective students who may be eligible for support, to submit their applications so that supports can be put in place early in the academic year”
The 2021 application window is open from now until 30 November 2021.
