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Fingal County Council awards Higher Education Grants under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992. A new scheme is drawn up each year by the Department of Education & Science before being formally adopted by each Local Authority.

The Scheme applies to students who are commencing approved courses for the first time in that year. To be eligible for a grant under the Scheme, a candidate must fullfill the conditions as to residence, age, academic attainments, means and nationality. Fingal County Council has no discretion in this matter.

It is the policy of Fingal County Council to fully reassess all applications each year and to reassess any student who commences a postgraduate course immediately after the completion of their undergraduate programme.

Applications for the year 2012/13

Renewal of a Grant awarded in 2011/12. The form to renew the grant awarded will be available in July 2012. It should be returned to this Council by the 31^st October 2012.

New Grant Applications for 2012-13

A new ONLINE ONLY grant applications system is being introduced for 2012. All new applications will be made online to a single awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) through www.studentfinance.ie.

When can I make my grant application?

The details of the 2012 Student Grant Scheme are due to be announced in May and the SUSI online application system will be available from that date. You can continue to check www.studentfinance.ie for information and updates in the meantime.

How do I make my grant application?

As soon as the online application system opens for the 2012/13 academic year, you will be able to register online with SUSI and then complete the online application form. The online application facility will be available through www.studentfinance.ie. Remember, it will not be necessary to have received an offer of a college place or to be enrolled in college in order to apply online.

How will I submit my supporting documentation?

Following initial assessment of your application, if eligible, you will receive by post a provisional grant approval and a personalised list of the supporting documents you will need to return to complete your application. Completed documentary evidence packs (photocopies of the documents, not originals) should be returned as soon as possible in the envelope provided to you.

When you return all the necessary supporting documents SUSI will process your application to award stage, subject to confirmation of your acceptance on an approved course.

When will I receive a final decision from SUSI?

When you confirm acceptance of a place on an approved course (usually late August/early September), your grant is awarded and payment will be made on a monthly basis (subject to confirmation of attendance) directly into your designated Irish bank account.

Where can I get more information on SUSI?

As part of SUSI’s support to students, there will be a SUSI Helpdesk available in the lead up to and following the launch of the online application system for both email and telephone queries. The Helpdesk will provide extended services in the evenings from the launch date in May.

What if I’m already in receipt of a grant?

Students who are currently in receipt of a student grant and who are progressing to the next year of the same course will continue to be assessed and paid by the existing awarding authorities - i.e. the relevant local authority or Vocational Educational Committee. If you are changing your course or progressing to a new course you will need to apply to SUSI.

Fingal County Council has no information on how the new arrangement will operate in practice.

Academic Year 2011/2012

Closing Date

Fingal County Council has extended the closing date for the first time grant applications & renewals to Friday 25th November, 2011. Applications must be received in this office before close of business (4.30pm) on this day. Applications after that date will not be considered unless there is a change in circumstances. Applications that are simply late will not be accepted.

Phone Lines and Public Counter

The phone lines and Public Counter are open from 9.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Friday

We would appreciate if you would not ring the office to check on the status of your application. Files are being assessed in the date order they were received and we will contact you as soon as we have reached your application. It is currently taking between 8 and 10 weeks from the time we receive an application to fully assess it.

As soon as your application is registered on the system a letter confirming that it was received.

Application forms and accompanying notes should be downloaded at http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7658/download-maintenance-grant-application-form/index.html. No hard copy forms will be available from Fingal County Council.

Academic Year 2011/12

Renewal of a Grant Awarded in 2011/2012: Students who wish to make an application for a renewal must download the form, which will be available from this Council's website from July. Students must submit their exam results with the application as well as documentary evidence of income. Please see the form for the list of necessary documents.

The qualifying distance criterion for entitlement to the higher non-adjacent rate of grant (distance from home to the higher education institution) will be changed from 15 miles (24 kilometres) to 28 miles (45 kilometres). This measure will take effect for all students both new and renewal from the start of the 2011/2012 academic year.
The automatic eligibility of mature students to the higher non-adjacent rate of payment, will no longer apply, effective for all students both new and renewal from the commencement of the 2011/2012 academic year. This measure will bring the arrangements for mature students into line with all other students.

Leaving Certificate Students: Forms will be available from July at www.studentfinance.ie Please make sure that you read all the guidance notes and ensure that you send in all the documents necessary. The requirement to prove residence in Ireland for three out of the last five years applies to everyone. A copy of your Junior Certificate will suffice in most cases. The closing date for receipt of fully completed application forms with all necessary documentation is the 25th November, 2011.

All other Students: Forms will be available from July at www.studentfinance.ie Please make sure that you read all the guidance notes and ensure that you send in all the documents necessary. The requirement to prove residence in Ireland for three out of the last five years applies to everyone.