Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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421. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider altering the SUSI grant procedures to allow for students to alter their applications in cases in which there is a material change in the student’s financial or domestic circumstances in the time since their application in their first year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44818/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending further or higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. A student may wish to discuss his/her individual circumstances with the SUSI Support Desk by calling 0818 888 777.

A very important feature of the scheme is the change of circumstances provision. If a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to SUSI to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision (Article 32 of the relevant Student Grant Scheme).

Where a student experiences a change of circumstances during the course of their studies, he/she may apply to SUSI to have his/her application re-assessed by emailing: helpdesk@SUSI.ie quoting "Internal Review" in the email subject line.

It is necessary for the awarding authority, SUSI, to review each application under the change in circumstances provision on a case-by-case basis with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or re-assessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same.

Any student who believes his/her student grant application has been assessed incorrectly may also avail of the opportunities to appeal to SUSI and subsequently to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.