Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason income allegedly derived from parents was used in the calculation of entitlement to a higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39349/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as an independent student or a dependent student.

An applicant’s class is defined at his/her first point of entry or re-entry to an approved course and will continue for the duration of his/her studies.

In order to be classified as an independent applicant a student must:

- Be over 23 years of age on the first of January of the year in which s/he enters or re-enters an approved PLC or higher education course, and

- Not ordinarily reside with his/her parent(s) from October of the year before the first point of entry or re-entry to an approved higher education course.

If an individual applicant considers that s/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/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 appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe.