Student Universal Support Ireland - Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants

Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants

Whilst studying full-time at the University of Limerick, you will receive the Irish government’s student grant. It consists of two parts: an annual sum of maintenance grant to cover living costs and the payment of your student contribution and/or tuition fees. The amount you receive depends on your income bracket and the distance between your place of residence and the university. For 2024/25, the annual rates ranged from approximately 612 EUR (lowest income bracket, living near UL) to approximately 7,586 EUR (special rate, living further away). The exact amounts are reviewed each year. The grant is provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), the government body that administers these grants for all recognised Irish higher education institutions. You can renew it each year, provided you are making progress with your studies and continue to meet the means-test criteria.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are enrolled on a full-time bachelor’s degree programme or are applying for one that lasts at least 2 years.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Nationality: You are an Irish, EU, EEA, British or Swiss national, or you hold an official residence permit issued by the Irish Ministry of Justice.
• Residence: You have lived in Ireland, the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for 3 of the last 5 years.
• Household income: Your household income is below the specified thresholds. According to the 2025 guidelines, households with an income of up to 115,000 euros may still be eligible under certain conditions.
• Progression: Your course must take you up one level in the National Qualifications Framework. You cannot repeat a level that you have already achieved.

How to apply

You apply for SUSI funding online via the SUSI funding portal, not through your university. You can submit your application before you have been offered a place or enrolled. SUSI announces the exact deadline each year. You must reapply every year that you continue your studies.

How realistic are your chances?

SUSI received 108,550 applications for 2026/27, and 77,262 students were awarded funding, meaning that around seven out of ten applicants received funding.

You can find more scholarships in our guide Scholarships in Ireland.