Kilkenny students urged to check eligibility for a €500 cut in third-level student fees

Cllr Maria Dollard is calling on Kilkenny students and families to check their eligibility for a new €500 cut in third-level student fees.

It is estimated that up to 40,000 students may be eligible and Cllr Dollard has received confirmation that 9,600 grants have been awarded.

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As of September 1, this included 223 in Kilkenny, but this may represent only about 1 in 4 of those eligible.

"Starting or returning to college is an expensive time of year and I want to make sure that people know there is a new student grant of €500, depending on family income," she said. 

"This is a permanent reduction in the €3,000 student charge for students in families with up to four children, on an income of €62,000 to €100,000. The income threshold is higher if there are more children. The good news is it is not too late to apply."

To receive the benefit, which comes in the form of a grant, students have to apply to state agency SUSI.

"I received confirmation that about 1 in 4 of potentially eligible families have been awarded the grant so far. If you aren’t sure if you are eligible, there is a handy ‘eligiblity checker’ on the SUSI website."