SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) in Frequently Asked Questions for Academic Year 2025/26
For those supporting applicants from Ukraine under Temporary Protection: Please note that understanding how SUSI defines applicant classes is critical for submitting a correct and complete application.
Please note: SUSI’s rules apply regardless of the physical presence of parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Even if a student has arrived in Ireland alone or with only their mother/father, while their father/mother or both parents/legal guardians remain in Ukraine, their applicant class is determined strictly by age and living arrangements, not by the family’s location.
DEPENDENT STUDENT
Who? If you’re under 23 on 1 January of the year you first enter further or higher education, you’ll be classed as a dependent student.
This is always the case, regardless of circumstances.
What this means: You must provide income details for yourself and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Exceptions (still under Dependent Student):
- If you’re irreconcilably estranged from both parents, you can declare this and provide supporting evidence—SUSI will assess based on your income only.
- If you’re in foster care, only your own income is required (no foster parents’ income).
- If you’re orphaned (both parents deceased), you declare that status, and only your income is assessed.
- If you have a legal guardian appointed by court, you include your guardian’s income along with your own.
MATURE DEPENDENT STUDENT
Who? You’re 23 or older on 1 January and still live with your parents or legal guardians.
What this means: SUSI considers both your income and your parents’ (or guardians’) income.
INDEPENDENT STUDENT
Who? You’re 23 or older on 1 January and have been living independently (away from your parents or guardians) since October of the previous year.
What you’ll need: Documentation proving your independent living, such as tenancy agreements, utility bills (not mobile phone bills), rent allowance letters, etc.
- Income assessed: Your own income – and, if applicable, your spouse’s, civil partner’s or cohabitant’s.
| Applicant Class | Age on 1 Jan | Living with Parents? | Income Included |
| Dependent Student | Under 23 | Yes | Applicant’s + Parent(s)’ income |
| (with exceptions)* | — | — | Exceptions (estranged/orphan/foster/legal guardian) |
| Mature Dependent Student | Over 23 | Yes | Applicant’s + Parent(s)’ income |
| Independent Student | 23+ | No (since Oct prior year) | Applicant’s + Spouse/Partner’s income (if applicable) |
*Exceptions include estrangement, orphan status, foster care, or legal guardianship
Note: Temporary Protection status does not override these categories.
FAQ # 1
Nationality Criteria
Hold one of the following immigration statuses or leave to remain permissions from the Department of Justice.
Ukraine: Permission to Remain in the State under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
In relation to the Nationality Criteria, SUSI will request the following from all Section 60 applicants:
- Original Section 60 letter (this may provide the date the applicant arrived in the State) and
- Section 60 renewal letter or
- Section 60 successful renewal email or
- Confirmation of renewal of section 60 PTR email and;
- IRP Card (expiry date must be 4 March 2026) or the expired IRP card (expiry date 4 March 2025) accompanied by the confirmation of renewal email from the Department of Justice.
FAQ # 2
Residency Criteria
To be eligible for a grant, you must have been resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years.
Regarding the Residency Criteria, SUSI must confirm that an applicant has been resident in Ireland, the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Data sharing agreements with government bodies such as the Department of Social Protection, Revenue Commissioners and CAO have helped SUSI reduce requests for supporting documentation for this purpose. However, when SUSI cannot confirm residency through these agreements, SUSI will accept the following documents from applicants:
- Statements or other correspondence from bank/building society/credit union including e-Statements with activity in the country outlined in their application.
- Evidence that they sat the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in Ireland or equivalent school exams in the EU, UK, EEA or Switzerland if it was in the past five years.
- A letter from a school principal in Ireland, the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland confirming their attendance at a school if it was in the past five years.
- Social Welfare Statements or equivalents from the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland.
- Utility bills or statements of top-ups for pay as you go utility meters (i.e. from electricity/phone/gas/cable television/broadband provider). Printed online bills are acceptable. Mobile phone bills are not acceptable.
- Registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board or equivalent from the EU, EEA, UK or Switzerland.
- Employment Detail Summary/Confirmation of Cessation of Employment / Statement of Liability.
- Other official correspondence from an Irish state agency e.g. government departments; HSE; Register of Electors/polling card; CAO; An Garda Síochána; Public / private hospitals, Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) or third level college, secondary school/training agency, NCT reports or reminders, An Post, TV License, National Government Health Screening Programme(s) and/or; Correspondence from an insurance company regarding an active policy (Home or Car Insurance Policy Only).
FAQ # 3
Income
To be eligible for funding, your total household reckonable income must fall below specific income thresholds. If you are eligible for funding, your reckonable income is a factor in determining what type of funding you may receive.
In relation to the assessment of income, if an applicant is under 23 years of age on the 1 January of the year of their first point of entry into further or higher education, they are automatically classed as a dependent student. This means they must supply their parents or legal guardians’ information when filling out their application. This also applies to students who are over 23 years of age and are living with their parents. Where the applicant is a dependent student, the income of the applicant and their parents shall be taken into consideration.
FAQ # 4
Marital Status
On the SUSI application form, question D5 relates specifically to the marital status of a dependent student’s parent. If the marital status of a dependent student’s parent is separated, divorced or a former civil partner, then this should be declared when completing this question on the application. Please note that separation relates to marital separation, not geographical separation.
If the applicant’s parents are not maritally separated, both parents’ details must be entered on the application form. If they are not entered, the applicant may be required to cancel their original application and reapply providing both parents details.
FAQ # 5
Parent(s) or guardian(s) who have never lived in Ireland
Suggested note for SUSI application form / box “Parent tax registration number”
For each parent (or guardian) who has never lived in Ireland, please provide the national tax registration number from their current country of residence. For Ukrainian citizens, this is the “Identification Code” (10-digit taxpayer registration number / Ідентифікаційний код), also known as the Tax Identification Number (TIN) from Ukraine.
| Country | Equivalent identifier | Format / Notes |
| Ireland | Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) | 7 digits + 1 or 2 letters (e.g., 1234567A). Needed to access public services. |
| Ukraine | Identification Code / Tax Identification Number (TIN) / “Registration number of the taxpayer’s account card” | A unique 10-digit number assigned for tax and official purposes. Issued for life. |
To be assessed as an independent student, the applicant must be over 23 on 1 January of the year of their first point of entry into further or higher education and residing independently from October of the year prior to their first point of entry/re-entry into further or higher education.
FAQ # 6
Estrangemenent from both parents
Estrangement relates specifically to when a dependent student is irreconcilably estranged from both their parents. If a dependent student is irreconcilably estranged from both of their parents, they should declare this on the application form. Such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a specialist assessment team who are dedicated to giving them the care and thorough consideration required around such a sensitive issue. The applicant will be required to submit evidence of estrangement to SUSI, which specifically confirms that they are irreconcilably estranged from their parents.
Important:
Supporting Information on SUSI Website
Supporting information is provided throughout the application form, an application form guide is available on SUSI’s website and SUSI’s Access Officer team is also available to provide additional support to applicants with disabilities throughout the application process.
Right to Appeal # 1
Should an applicant not meet one or more of SUSI’s eligibility criteria, their application will be refused, and they will be advised in writing of the reason for refusal. They will be advised of their right to appeal the decision to the Appeals Officer. Their appeal must be made not later than 30 days after receipt of the notice of the determination. This period may be extended for a further period not exceeding a further 30 days if the Appeals Officer is satisfied that the applicant has given reasonable cause to so extend.
Right to Appeal # 2
If an applicant is unhappy with the outcome of their appeal to SUSI’s Appeals Officer, they have a further right to appeal the decision to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board (SGAB). They are required to submit their appeal within 30 days of the date of the letter advising of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
Further Support and Information
SUSI provides support and information to students in a number of formats. Students can contact SUSI’s Support Desk (details below) at any stage of their application journey or if they have any questions relating to the application process and eligibility criteria.
- Phone: 0818 888 777
- Outside of Ireland: +353 1 524 2257
- Email: support@susi.ie
- Facebook: SUSI | Facebook
- X: @susihelpdesk
