Budget 2025 New Student Funding Measures
A number of measures announced in Budget 2025 will result in changes to student funding.
Some measures are defined as once-off cost of living measures and these will come into effect in academic year 2024/25.
Other changes will come into effect in September 2025.
All measures are subject to legislation provided by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Once-Off Cost of Living Measures
The Student Contribution fee has been reduced by €1,000 for eligible full-time undergraduate students in academic year 2024/2025.
The Postgraduate Fee Contribution has increased from €4,000 to €5,000 for eligible students in academic year 2024/25.
Budget Measures Effective September 2025
The Special Rate of Maintenance grant income threshold will increase from €26,200 to €27,400.
Income thresholds for maintenance grants for PLC, full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students will increase by 15%.
Income thresholds for the full-time undergraduate Student Contribution will also increase by 15%.
The Postgraduate Fee Contribution income threshold will increase to €64,315.
The Part-Time Undergraduate Fee Contribution income threshold will also increase to €64,315.
The first €5,000 of any scholarship or a bursary will be disregarded from SUSI's income calculation.
Students who receive a scholarship from public funds that is listed as an eligibility exclusion under the Student Grant Scheme and does not fully cover their fees may be eligible for a grant to cover the remaining fees.
The nationality criteria will be expanded to include applicants whose permission to reside in the State was granted in accordance with:
- Department of Justice’s Regularisation Scheme for Undocumented Migrants
- Persons with permission to remain as the parents of an Irish-born citizen child