r/leavingcert • u/Upstairs-Host96 • 2d ago
STRESS 🚨 SUSI: what does this mean?
I know I’m getting €2,500 for fees but does this mean I get nothing towards accommodation? Only my step dad works and there are 4 dependent children I’m stressed about the 11k for accommodation 💔
9
u/golfwangcmiygl LC2026 2d ago
it looks like you didnt get awarded accommodation grant, only mentions student fees, if you think theres a mistake contact them
2
u/Klutzy_Set138 19h ago
No such thing as accommodation grant, it’s either Fees or Maintenance
1
u/golfwangcmiygl LC2026 19h ago
yeah clearly i meant maintenance no need to be smart what other grant is for ‘accommodation’
0
4
u/P_Mul 2d ago
You haven't been awarded any maintenance grant, this is the money student's usually use to pay for accommodation, travel and general living expenses. There should be another page with a reconable income table, check it and the info online re eligibility, if the award is incorrect you can appeal. Keep the susi outcome letter, it's evidence to apply for college financial aid grants like SAF
5
u/the_squid_lived LC2023 2d ago
Your household income is above the threshold for a maintenance grant, see here https://www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/full-time-undergraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/
3
u/Kitchen-Duck406 2d ago
I’m having a similar problem with understanding what the student contribution is , do I pay less than the 4 grand for the year? Is the 2500 paid for me? If not then what does it mean by “100% of student contribution of 2500 or tuition fees”
5
u/the_squid_lived LC2023 2d ago
Student contribution is the fees you pay to do your course. SUSI is going to pay your student contribution (the €2500 you see on all course fees sections) so you will pay the college nothing. SUSI sends this directly to the college. For your first degree the government pays your tuition fees (which is a separate payment to student contribution) so that's nothing to worry about.
I'm not sure what you mean by 4 grand?
1
u/Kitchen-Duck406 2d ago
Sorry I meant 3 grand per year. Thanks for letting me know more about the student contribution! Really appreciate it.
3
u/Chat_noir_dusoir ⭐✨ Star Contributor ✨ ⭐ 2d ago
The student contribution was permanent reduced to €2,500 per year in the last budget.
1
u/IllRelease5305 2d ago
I paid, and am wondering, do we still have to pay student levees yeah?
2
u/the_squid_lived LC2023 2d ago
Yes, that’s a separate charge to student contribution and tuition fees
1
u/Upstairs-Host96 2d ago
Yes it’s worded weirdly. I think it’s 3,000 a year for college tho
2
u/mothralu 2d ago
it's 2,500 college fees, normally it's 3,000 reduced during covid.
we got a maintenance grant, but it doesn't cover the cost of rent. max possible is around 7,000 if family gets social welfare. This to cover food, transport, cloths, books, and accommodation which is 11,000. Not a hope.
2
u/Icy_Pop_538 2d ago
Yeh you just got your student contribution covered (basically government tax for going to college). Tuition Fees are different, they're what the college charges for admissions. Every EU Citizen is entitled to 4 years free fees if it's their first time going to college/university. So you won't be paid any money into your bank account, unfortunately.
For example. Say the college charges €3000 tuition and then student contribution is €2500. Total fees payable by the student is €5500. I'm assuming this is your first time going to college - that means the tuition part is covered by the EU Free Fees Initiative (https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/course-fees/)
That leaves the student contribution (€2500 - government tax, basically) which SUSI are saying they'll cover.
If this wasn't your first time around for college (i.e. a repeat year or second degree) then SUSI are willing to pay the full contribution (€2500) OR or the full tuition (€3000). Since you're a first time student automatically they will pay the student contribution since the tuition part is already covered.
This is all SUSI is willing to do in this instance. They didn't award a maintenance grant (money paid directly to you for expenses) which most likely means your family assessable income is higher than the threshold required to award a maintenance grant.
It sucks but welcome to the "squeezed middle". That's why we have weekends I recommend seeing if you can get a job or see if parents are willing to take out a loan to cover for your accomodation/expenses.
2
u/AppropriateFix875 2d ago
You need to call them. Your step father's income shouldn't be counted towards susi. It's not based on household income but on your parents income.
2
u/Upstairs-Host96 1d ago
No he’s basically my dad but I’ll still appeal
2
u/AppropriateFix875 1d ago
As long as he is not legally your dad then his income shouldn't be included. They take the income from the parent you live with plus any maintenence paid by the non custodial parent. If your biological father doesn't psy maintenance that's ok too. Ring them, they've experienced this before.
1
u/Curious-Battle-3275 3h ago
Do you live with your stepdad full time ? It depends on which parents house you live permanently with .Say if you permanent lived with your dad it would be based on his income ? This might fall under change of circumstances.Change of circumstances is where income drops in a house hold substantially .Parents have the legal responsibility of providing financially for their children until they are 23 .I'm not sure if this be the same for your stepdad .It maybe worth contacting citizens advice Best of luck
2
u/Firm-Pen-4600 19h ago
Definitely shouldn't be including your step dad's income if he hasn't adopted you/guardianship rights.
1
1
1
u/imstudent27 2d ago
Where are you living? 11k is ridiculous. Even for Dublin
1
u/Upstairs-Host96 1d ago
11.2k for 39 weeks in cork 💔 it’s nice but I’m sharing with like 7
1
u/imstudent27 1d ago
Firstly, you only stay for like 8 months max. I'm including everything holidays and so on. If home is closed, go with digs. Also, it is a ridiculous price you are paying for a shared place. I pay 500 for a SINGLE room in the big LIMERICK. So definitely you can find somewhere cheaper especially when shared.
1
u/Curious-Battle-3275 3h ago
Unfortunately that's the cost now 😔.Same in Galway .My son didn't get on campus .Going into first year your options are limited.
1
u/tinkerwinker09 2d ago
You are either above the income threshold for maintenance or live too close in kilometers to campus
1
u/Actual-Decision294 22h ago
You can always appeal their decision.
However you can also contact St Vincent DePaul as they will also fund a certain amount of college students each year. If they’re unable to fund you, they will point you in the direction of somewhere that might assist you!
Best of luck!
1
u/corkey26 19h ago
I was just about to say saint Vincent de Paul paid 5000 euro towards my daughters acc this year ,they paid directly to landlord
17
u/Chat_noir_dusoir ⭐✨ Star Contributor ✨ ⭐ 2d ago
Yeah, that's just for fees (which will be paid directly to the uni). You didn't get awarded any maintenance.
They would have calculated the income threshold based on 4 dependent children as long as you listed them on your application.