Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has, today (Monday), urged parents and students to apply for third level grants this week as SUSI’s deadline is this Friday, 1st August.

“If you or someone in your family is hoping to start a third level course this year, this is the last week for applications as the deadline of 1st August is fast approaching.

“Every year my constituency office is inundated with worried parents and prospective students who didn’t apply to SUSI on time or who didn’t send the correct information. It is really important that you take the time to put together all the required information, that you fill out the form correctly and that everything is submitted on time.

“If you provide SUSI with insufficient information or you make a mistake on the form, this will hold up your application and may result in a delay in payment. There are a lot of costs associated with getting started at third level, so it is important to get applications in on time to ensure payment is received as soon as possible.

“It’s also worth pointing out that although some people may think they are above the threshold you may be eligible for part of the grant and this can be of great assistance. There are a variety of limits in respect of the allowable income depending on the adjustments or increments which are applicable in a particular case. Households with a combined income of €54, 240, and with four or less dependents, are eligible to partial contribution.

“There are only another few weeks before the Leaving Certificate results come out so now is the time to get planning and organising. I know many people who contact me in distress, about late applications, say their son or daughter didn’t think they’d get their course so they let the SUSI deadline pass by without applying. Students often underestimate how well they have done in their exams or they may take a second choice course so it is important to apply anyway and make sure to do so before Friday.”