Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding students from County Donegal attending a college (details supplied) in Derry who are not entitled to a SUSI grant due to the fact they are attending PLC equivalent courses abroad; the way in which these students will be affected post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10855/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved further or higher education course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The Student Grant Scheme applies to approved higher education courses only in Northern Ireland. Accordingly, students pursuing further education courses are ineligible for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme.

However, once a student progresses to higher education, he/she may apply to SUSI to have eligibility for grant assistance assessed, subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. Further information regarding student grant eligibility criteria may be obtained from SUSI's website, www.susi.ie.

Students may also wish to contact the relevant college in Northern Ireland for advice on the type and range of supports that are available in that particular college.

Prospective students wishing to pursue a PLC course in the State can apply to SUSI to have eligibility for grant assistance assessed, subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. There are numerous approved PLC colleges throughout the State including 5 PLC colleges in County Donegal.