COVID Student Support Fund

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Minister has announced once off funding of up to €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year. 

The funding, which was provided as part of the Budget 2021 announcement, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

The scheme will ensure students;

  • Who avail of the SUSI grant, including students studying abroad, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
  • Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the State  will receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
  • In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made to facilitate a payment  to students, at the discretion of individual institutions.

Who is eligible for the €250 credit?

  • All students in receipt of SUSI grants including fee only grants ( including Higher Education undergraduate and postgraduate students, students studying abroad and PLC)
  • All current registered full-time Irish/EU undergraduate and postgraduate students who would ordinarily be registered as such as at  1st November 2020   in publically funded higher education providers under the remit of DFHERIS.
I am not eligible for a SUSI grant. How do I apply for the €250 payment?
The €250 payment will be made to all full-time EU undergraduate and postgraduate students in publically-funded institutions and there is no requirement for these students to apply for the payment. Your higher education institution will be in contact with you directly to inform you about how they intend to credit you the amount of €250, which can be used against future payments of the student contribution or other paid-for services provided by the institution during 2020 or 2021. The credit will be distributed to students before the end of the 2020/2021 academic year.
I receive a SUSI grant. Do I have to apply for the €250 payment?
If you receive a fee grant, tuition grant or maintenance grant from SUSI there is no requirement for you to apply for the payment. SUSI will be in direct contact with any grant recipients from whom they require bank account details.
I receive SUSI funding for a fee grant of 50% and have already paid €1,500 to my HEI, how do I apply for the €250 payment?
There is no requirement for you to apply for the payment. Your HEI has been informed that SUSI will make the payment to you. SUSI will be in direct contact with any grant recipients from whom they require bank account details.
I'm an apprentice attending off the job training once a week in a HEI. Can I apply for the €250 payment?
The €250 payment will be made to all full-time EU undergraduate and postgraduate students currently registered in publicly-funded institutions.  Apprentices will not receive the payment.
I am a final year student and have paid full fees. Can I receive a payment in lieu of the credit?
In a small number of cases where a credit cannot be applied a payment may be facilitated at the discretion of the institution.
I am still waiting on a decision from SUSI on my grant, will I get this funding if my application is successful?
Only SUSI know for sure who is in the application process. All pending students in the SUSI process will be subsequently notified  to HEIs  (by SUSI) before the credit is applied to each student account and then subject to the decision on their status a payment/credit will be applied by the HEI. This will mean that the HEI cannot apply the credit until SUSI notify us of those in the application/appeal process which could delay the process for other students.
I begin a course in January, am I eligible?
No, this funding only applies to students registered on November 1st in the 2020/21 academic year who have not subesequently deferred or deregistered.
I am not eligible for SUSI but my fees are sponsored - e.g. perhaps an Employer is sponsoring a student's fees. Do I get the refund/credit or does my sponsor?
This award is a payment/credit to the student in recognition of challenges faced this year. The payment/credit is to the student regardless of sponsor.
I am a repeat student, am I eligible?
If a student is classed as full time he/she will be included, if not full time then not included. If you are classified as a full time student the repeat student qualifies for the payment/credit. 
I am a full time EU student who is not charged fees, e.g. on special access programmes or foundation programmes, am I eligible?
This award is a payment/credit to the student in recognition of challenges faced this year. The payment/credit is to the student regardless of sponsor.
Do Postgraduate Researchers qualify?
Whether self funding, or sponsored, or on a scholarship if a student is classified as a full-time student, regardless of sponsor or funding, the student is entitled to the payment.
I am full-time EU student in final year and not in receipt of a SUSI grant. I have paid my fees in full. How will I receive the funding?
In a small number of cases where a credit cannot be applied a payment may be facilitated.