Issue 2: Guidance Department Support: Helping Parents Through the Leaving Cert Journey

SUSI Grants – What Parents of Leaving Cert Students Need to Know (2025/26 Update)

As our 6th Year students approach the end of their school journey, many families are not only thinking about the exams ahead — but also about what comes next. Whether your son is aiming for college, a PLC course, or another full-time study path, one common question is:"How are we going to manage the cost?"

The good news is that there’s financial support available through SUSI, and thanks to recent changes in Budget 2025, more families than ever may qualify.

💡 What is SUSI?

SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is the national body that handles student grants. It provides financial support for students going into full-time further or higher education — including PLCs, Institutes of Technology, and universities.

There are two main types of support:

• Maintenance Grant – helps with day-to-day living costs like accommodation, travel, food, etc.

• Fee Support – can cover student contribution charges, tuition fees (in certain cases), and field trips

✅ Who Can Apply?

SUSI looks at five main areas when assessing eligibility:

1. Nationality / Immigration Status
   Your son may be eligible if he is:

   • An Irish, EU, EEA, UK, or Swiss national

   • Or if he (or you as a parent) has specific immigration status
     New for 2025: Families granted permission under the Regularisation Scheme for Undocumented Migrants

   • Parents of Irish-born children with permission to remain in Ireland

   • For up-to-date nationality criteria and eligibility information, visit the link below.
     
     • Nationality Criteria | SUSI

2. Residency
   Your son must have lived in Ireland, the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for 3 of the past 5 years.

3. Course
   The course must be full-time and listed on SUSI’s approved course list.

   • For up-to-date approved courses information, visit the link below.
     • Approved Courses | SUSI

4. Progression
   SUSI only funds students progressing to a higher level of education — for example, going from secondary school to a Level 5 or Level 8 course.

5. Income
   SUSI will assess gross household income from 2024. There have been important updates:

   • The Special Rate of Maintenance Grant threshold has increased to €27,400

   • The first €5,000 of any bursary or scholarship is now disregarded in income calculations

   • If your son receives a scholarship that doesn’t fully cover fees, he may still be eligible for SUSI support

   • For up-to-date income information, visit the link below.
     • Income | SUSI

🗓️ Important Dates

• Applications opened: April 3rd, 2025

• Priority closing date: July 10th, 2025

➡️ Your son does not need a confirmed CAO offer to apply. He can apply now and update course details later.

👨‍👩‍👦 How Parents Can Support

SUSI can feel like a lot for students to take on during a busy exam year, so parental support is very valuable. Here’s how you can help:

• Start the conversation – Let your son know financial help may be available.

• Organise your 2024 income documents – e.g., P60s, DSP statements, or tax returns.

• Try the Eligibility Indicator on SUSI Eligibility Indicator - Get Started– a quick and easy tool to see if your family qualifies.

• Encourage him to apply early – this gives time to sort out any documents or questions.

And if anything feels unclear, SUSI’s Support Desk is available to help — online or by phone.

🔑 Final Word

It’s a proud moment to see our boys preparing for life beyond school — but we know it can come with financial stress.

We strongly encourage all 6th Year families to check their eligibility and apply early.

📍 Start the process or learn more at: www.susi.ie

If you have any questions or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to contact our Guidance Department. We’re here to support both students and parents at every step.

Ms Leahy and Ms Coles, Career Guidance Counsellors