Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason, despite being offered second chance status and limited student contribution funding by SUSI, that a university is not in a position to recognise a person's (details supplied) qualification for SUSI grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46695/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Universities are autonomous bodies as set out in the Universities Act 1997 and are responsible for their own day to day affairs, including the allocation of all of its income (both public and private) and in relation to its own financial affairs.

The Governing Bodies and the management staff of the institutions are responsible for operational matters, therefore, the collection and administration of the student contribution and tuition fees, where a student is not eligible for funding under my Department's free fees initiative, is a matter for individual third level institutions. 

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an on-line appeal outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant via www.studentgrantappeals.ieoutlining the position to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.