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Case Study: Student denied full grant due to mistaken belief that she attended previous course
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
When Michelle applied to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for an education grant she was awarded only a portion of the full amount (7/9ths). SUSI said that this was due to Michelle attending the course for two months during the previous academic year.
Michelle had not attended the course. Michelle had been approved for a grant for the previous academic year (2020/21). However, she could not attend the course as her son’s crèche could not take him due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Michelle had informed the college and her application was cancelled.
Maintenance grants are paid in nine monthly instalments throughout the academic year (from September to May) in line with Article 37(2) of the Student Grant Scheme. SUSI had based its decision on information received from the college that Michelle had withdrawn from the course in November 2020. Michelle enrolled in the course in October 2020 (without attending) before deferring her studies. Therefore, she should have received 8/9ths of the grant.
SUSI reviewed its decision and awarded the woman a grant for 8/9ths of the 2021/22 academic year which amounted to an increase of over €600 on the original amount.