SUSI Student Grant Ireland 2026 — Maintenance Grant + Fee Grant for Higher Education
Student Grant Ireland — SUSI 2026
The SUSI grant covers living costs (maintenance grant up to €6,115/year) and tuition fees (fee grant up to €3,000) for eligible undergraduate students in Ireland. Here is who qualifies, income limits, and how to apply.
SUSI student grant 2026 — At a glance
- Maintenance grant (max)
- €6,115/year — non-adjacent, Special Rate
- Fee grant (max)
- €3,000/year — covers Student Contribution
- Apply at
- susi.ie — from April each year
- Taxable?
- No — grant does not need to be declared to Revenue
Key facts — SUSI Student Grant 2026
Two types of SUSI grant
The SUSI grant has two independent components — you may receive one or both depending on your income:
| Component | What it covers | Maximum amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Grant | Living costs — accommodation, food, transport, books | €6,115/year (non-adjacent) |
| Fee Grant | Student Contribution Charge (€3,000/year at most colleges) | €3,000/year (full grant) |
Maintenance grant rates 2026
| Grant level | Adjacent rate (living at/near home) | Non-adjacent rate (living away or Dublin) |
|---|---|---|
| Special Rate (lowest income) | €3,638/year | €6,115/year |
| Standard Rate Band 1 | €2,025/year | €3,638/year |
| Standard Rate Band 2 | €1,465/year | €2,375/year |
Fee grant — who pays nothing
- Full fee grant: Student Contribution Charge (€3,000) paid in full. You pay nothing at registration.
- Partial fee grant: 50% of the Student Contribution (€1,500) paid. You pay the remaining €1,500.
- Private college fees and postgraduate fees above the standard contribution are not covered by the fee grant.
Who qualifies for SUSI?
Eligibility criteria:
- First-time undergraduate student (or qualifying repeat/mature student)
- Attending an approved course (full-time, at least 2 years) at an approved institution in Ireland
- Nationality: Irish, EU/EEA national, or certain categories of non-EU national (refugees, long-term residents with 3 years ordinary residence)
- Household reckonable income below the threshold for your family size
Income thresholds (indicative, 2 adults + 2 dependent children):
| Grant type | Approximate income limit |
|---|---|
| Special Rate (full maintenance + full fee) | Family on a qualifying social welfare payment |
| Standard Rate Band 1 | Up to ~€40,875 |
| Standard Rate Band 2 | Up to ~€46,790 |
| Partial fee grant only | Up to ~€55,240 |
Thresholds increase with each additional dependent child. Use the eligibility estimator at susi.ie for your exact household.
How to apply for SUSI
-
Create an account at susi.ie
Applications open in April each year for the following academic year. You need a MyGovID account or a SUSI-specific login. Apply as early as possible — late applications can delay payment into the start of term.
-
Complete the online application
Provide details of your household income (the previous tax year's gross reckonable income), your course and college, and family composition. SUSI uses Revenue data — for most applicants the income verification is automated.
-
Upload supporting documents if requested
SUSI may request proof of identity, proof of address, immigration status documents, or evidence of unusual income circumstances. Upload promptly — missing documents are the main cause of delays.
-
Receive your award letter
Once approved, SUSI sends an award letter. Your college is notified of the fee grant (so you are not charged). The maintenance grant is paid directly to your bank account in instalments during the academic year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SUSI grant?
Ireland's national student grant scheme — SUSI provides a Maintenance Grant (up to €6,115/year for living costs) and a Fee Grant (up to €3,000/year for the Student Contribution Charge).
How much can I get?
Maintenance grant: €1,465 to €6,115 per year depending on income and whether you live at home. Fee grant: €1,500 to €3,000 per year depending on income.
What is the income limit?
Depends on your household size. A family of 4 with income up to ~€46,790 may qualify for maintenance support. Use the SUSI estimator at susi.ie for your exact situation.
Can immigrants get SUSI?
EU nationals and people with refugee status or long-term residency (3+ years ordinary residence) can qualify. Non-EU nationals on other visas generally cannot — check susi.ie for the full list.
What does the fee grant cover?
The Student Contribution Charge (€3,000/year at most Irish colleges). Full grant pays €3,000; partial grant pays €1,500. Private college fees above this are not covered.
Is the SUSI grant taxable?
No — the maintenance grant is not taxable income.
How do I apply?
Online at susi.ie from April each year. Create an account, complete the application, and upload any documents SUSI requests. Apply as early as possible.
- SUSI is not a loan — it does not have to be repaid. The maintenance grant and fee grant are non-repayable.
- Applying late can delay your payment into October or November — apply from April even if you haven't received your college offer yet.
- The fee grant covers only the Student Contribution Charge (€3,000) — it does not cover private college tuition fees, postgraduate fees, or top-up fees at some institutions.
- Both parents' incomes count in the means test, not just the main earner — the total gross reckonable income of the household is what matters.
- Non-EU nationals on most visas do not qualify — but refugees, people with subsidiary protection, and certain long-term residents do. Check the full list at susi.ie.
Related guides
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 SUSI student grant rates and eligibility rules.