Applying for SUSI - advice welcome

Bookaduck

Bookaduck

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I read @ClubMan's post on this a while back. (thank you for posting that :)) I'm applying for SUSI now, but I'm not good at figures.
  • My child, hopefully starting university this Sept, earned 8,549 in 2024. A part time job to cover what I could not.
  • I earned 31,212.70 in 2024
  • Received Working Family supplement at 102 per week (5,304 per year)
  • Received 260 every two weeks maintenance for 2 children (6,760 per year).
I've calculated that's a combined income of 51825.70. Is that correct? Numbers are my nemesis.

If I'm right, that figure means we won't get the full SUSI cover. Which means I'll have to take out a loan to cover the rest.

The frustrating thing is how the system doesn't take into account the other stuff, like my total lack of a pension (was not an option), or the loan I had to take, in part, to cover the deficit caused by an ex who only began to pay maintenance two years ago.

Am I missing anything here? Thank you.
 
Bookaduck said:
Received Working Family supplement at 102 per week (5,304 per year)
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SUSI Income

How does income affect my eligibility for a grant?
www.susi.ie www.susi.ie
What Income is not included in Reckonable Income?
  • ...
  • Working Family Payment /Family Income Supplement.
Click to expand...
By my reckoning your reckonable income is €46,522 which should qualify your child for a full student contribution grant plus maintenance?

Undergraduate Income Thresholds and Grant Award Rates

What are the SUSI grant award rates and income thresholds for Undergraduate students
www.susi.ie www.susi.ie
Screenshot_20250522-203351.png

I presume that their tuition fees are covered by the Free Fees Initiative?

Third-level student fees and charges

Information on the Free Fees Iniative. Explains who doesn't have to pay third-level fees.
www.citizensinformation.ie www.citizensinformation.ie
And the student contribution should be covered by SUSI if my analysis above is correct?

And they should get some amount of maintenance too?
 
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I believe the above is correct But also the Student is allow to deduct "holiday Earning" Money they earned during the summer holidays, Christmass, Easter in 2024 from the Income. Weekends /evening work is closed as income.

Holiday Earnings - Full-Time Students​

If your course is an approved full-time course and you worked and studied last year, SUSI can deduct a portion of your income earned outside of term time to improve your rate of grant.

  • For the 25/26 academic year, the maximum deduction is €8,424.
  • Known as Holiday Earnings, this deduction will apply to income earned during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.
  • You can declare Holiday Earnings on your SUSI application form and if this improves your rate of grant we will request supporting documents from you.
Also Pension payments for yourself or child payed in 2024 is also deductabile as well. Something to bear in mind if risk going over the a threshold this year for next year. That putting little bit a side into pension could work in favour. Any once off Overtime is also deductable if can show it was once off and not regular on the payslips etc.

  • contributions to pension schemes and pension or retirement products, paid in the reference period only, within the limits allowed by Revenue.
  • overtime payments earned in the reference period that are not recurring payments.

I know this is a very expensive time for parents, but you can also look at the "Rent a Room Scheme" which allows you to rent rooms in your home for up to € 14,000 tax-free each year, and this is also exempt for SUSI. Double-check with Citizens' Advice, but I believe it doesn't affect the Working Family Payment either.
 
irbx said:
but you can also look at the "Rent a Room Scheme" which allows you to rent rooms in your home for up to € 14,000 tax-free each year, and this is also exempt for SUSI.
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Are you sure about that? Rent a room income isn't on the excluded list here:

SUSI Income

How does income affect my eligibility for a grant?
www.susi.ie www.susi.ie
Edit: sorry - I see it now!

SUSI Income

How does income affect my eligibility for a grant?
www.susi.ie www.susi.ie
  • income up to a maximum of €14,000 in respect of Rent a Room Relief, earned in the reference period only and declared to the Revenue Commissioner.
Click to expand...
 
Under the Heading of "Are there any other Income Deductions or Adjustments?", the very last point.
  • income up to a maximum of €14,000 in respect of Rent a Room Relief, earned in the reference period only and declared to the Revenue Commissioner.
 
For the WFP from citizens advised website

Income from rent​

Rental income from the letting of property or land is assessed and you cannot deduct mortgage payments or other expenses.

However, you can get up to €14,000 per year for renting out a room in your own home without it affecting your Working Family Payment.

The maximum income disregard is €269.23 a week (€14,000 per year).

Working Family Payment

Working Family Payment is a weekly tax-free payment to people on low pay. You must have at least one child to qualify.
www.citizensinformation.ie www.citizensinformation.ie
 
Thank you @irbx and @ClubMan both. Your input is kind and hugely helpful. I reeeeally hope that is correct re WFP. That would be the best news. However, the drop down menu in SUSI where you declare other income includes Working Family Payment. They call it by its old name - Family income supplement (FIS). Why include it if it's not counted?

I only just started a pension. Have increased by as much as I can, so that's also helpful. But it has made things too tight on a monthly basis. Rent a room is a good thought.
 
Bookaduck said:
Why include it if it's not counted?
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They may collect details of all income and then discount anything that isn't part of reckonable income at their end?

As far as I can see you should be well within the limits for a full student contribution grant and some level of maintenance grant and presumably the tuition fees are already covered by the Free Fees Initiative.
 
ClubMan said:
They may collect details of all income and then discount anything that isn't part of reckonable income at their end?
Click to expand...
Yes, they do. It's infuriating going through everything to calculate it and then they add it in and then subtract it, especially when a rate changed during the year, which they usually do, and more so when a dependent child ages out so you have different rates, etc.

It would make far more sense to tick a box stating that you are in receipt of an exempt payment and have them look for proof if they want to.
 
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