FARM families have been advised of key dates and positive changes to the SUSI third level education grants.

Today – Thursday, June 8 – is the deadline for grant renewal applications while the last date for new grant applications is Thursday, July 6.

The IFA has advised that many students from farm families qualify for the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grants.

Teresa Roche, Galway IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Rep, told the Farming Tribune said that farm and rural families needed to keep in mind the deadline dates for applications.

She said that the grants provided many farm families with the chance to send their children to third level colleges – reducing considerably the costs involved.

“We are all well aware of the major costs involved in third-level education in terms of accommodations, fees and other expenses.

“The SUSI grants can help to ease the burden of those financial costs on farm families so it is important to be aware of upcoming deadline dates,” said Teresa Roche.

She pointed out that there were important changes to the Student Grant Scheme announced in Budget 2023 which farm families should familiarise themselves with.

These included an increase in the income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for the 50% student contribution grant and a new student contribution grant of €500 for incomes between €62,000 and €100,000. The postgraduate fee contribution grant has also increased by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000.

According to IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs National Chair, Alice Doyle, the changes to the scheme were important ones for farm families which would allow a greater number of them to access the grants.

“The increase in the income threshold means more families can access support and more students will qualify this year,” she added.

■ The SUSI Support Desk is open Monday to Friday (9.00am – 5.30pm), excluding public holidays. They can be contacted by phone on 0818-888-777 or by email on support@susi.ie.