Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an appeal is warranted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

Under Section 21(2) of the Student Support Act 2011 an applicant has 30 days, from the date of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the awarding authority, to submit her appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board (Board). Under Section 21(3) of the Act the Board may extend this period by a further 30 days if it is satisfied that the applicant has given reasonable cause to do so. Please be advised that the Board does not have any discretion to extend the time period beyond that allowed for in the Act.

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.