Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the income thresholds for the student universal support grant which will be reviewed to take into account the rising cost of living for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means.

The income thresholds for the Student Grant Scheme are announced annually as part of the Budget process. No changes to the thresholds were included in Budget 2018.

The Student Grant Scheme provides for higher income thresholds for larger families. In addition to this, further increases in the income thresholds are provided for where additional family members are attending further and higher education at the same time.

The income threshold for the special rate of grant is €23,000. The student must also meet other qualifying criteria for the special rate of grant. The highest income threshold, for a family of less than 4 dependent children, is €54,240. This will qualify a student for 50% of the student contribution.

Details of the thresholds for the 2017 Student Grant Scheme can be accessed via the following link: