Press Release from
Mary Wallace TD
24th May 2010

A more streamlined Student Maintenance grant schemes announced today - Wallace

“Early announcement, simplified forms and streamlined process should result in quicker turn-around for students as details of the student maintenance grant schemes were announced today for the coming academic year” says Mary Wallace TD

This year's schemes include a number of significant administrative and service improvements aimed at ensuring students getting their grant entitlement on time.

The changes include:

• Early announcement of the 2010 schemes and application form to facilitate students in making an early application
• New more user-friendly student grant application form for 2010/11;
• Downloadable student grant application form;
• and New payments process, including advance payments to awarding authorities.

Income limits to qualify for maintenance grants and payment of the student services charge are to remain unchanged, despite the downward trend in average earnings. Parents or legal guardians with fewer than four dependent children can therefore earn up to €51,380 without having to pay the student services charge which will be up to €1,500 depending on the third-level institution.

“The steps taken this year to simplify the forms, streamline the administration and, importantly, get the schemes out early, should ensure a quicker turn-around time and less delays for students in getting their payment. I would now encourage all eligible prospective third-level students to get their application in early.”

"Leaving income limits unchanged despite a fall in average earnings means that students from families on low to middle incomes will continue to be eligible for important financial help from the Government in covering the costs of third-level education."

Deputy Wallace concluded “I understand that for families on low incomes, the annual income threshold for students getting the higher special rate of maintenance grant is being increased from €22,308 to €22,703 in line with the relevant social welfare comparators. As a result, students from families on the lowest incomes and in receipt of an eligible long-term social protection payment will continue to qualify for maximum rates of grant.”

All CAO applicants will be contacted directly to encourage early grant application. Details of the schemes and application forms will be available on www.studentfinance.ie.

ENDS
 
Note for Editors

The 2010/11 student grant schemes have now issued to the awarding bodies - the local authorities and the VECs. 

The schemes will be available on www.studentfinance.ie this week - the application form and guidance notes are already available to download and complete.

Since last year, the rates of student grant are considered as part of the annual Budget process in common with other welfare and income-support measures.

Any adjustment in the rates of student grant from January will be considered in the context of the Budget later this year.

Over 57,000 students - or almost two out of five – will receive financial support from the Government under the student grant schemes.