Scholarships and Student Financial Aid in Ireland
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published May 24, 2026 • Education Planning, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Scholarships & Funding
SUSI is the main state support for students in Ireland, a means-tested grant that covers living costs, fees, or both, depending on household income. International students can also apply for university scholarships and the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, which pays €10,000 plus a full fee waiver for one year.
💶 SUSI Special Rate (2026/27): up to €7,936 a year if living away from home
Income threshold for the Special Rate: €28,600 for a household with under 4 children
The €500 Student Contribution Grant now applies up to €120,000 household income
🎓 Government of Ireland scholarships: €10,000 stipend plus full fee waiver, 60 places a year
Postgraduate fee grants increased by €500 from January 2026
SUSI: the main state grant for students
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) runs the national grant scheme for students in further and higher education. It assesses you on nationality and residency, then on household income, and pays out through two main supports: a Maintenance Grant for living costs, paid directly to you in monthly instalments, and a Fee Grant that covers some or all of the student contribution or tuition for students who already hold EU fee status.
Eligibility generally requires Irish, EU, EEA, UK or Swiss nationality, or a specific long-term residency or protection status recognized under the scheme, alongside meeting the course and progression rules set each year. Grant rates depend on your household income band and whether you live close to your college (adjacent, under 30km) or further away (non-adjacent). SUSI's published rates for 2026/27 include:
| Rate band | Income threshold (under 4 dependants) | Adjacent rate | Non-adjacent rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Rate | €28,600 | €3,230 | €7,936 |
| Band 1 | €47,010 | €1,774 | €4,722 |
Further bands exist above these thresholds, paying smaller partial maintenance amounts as household income rises, until support phases out entirely.
Recent increases worth knowing about
Budget 2026 changes at SUSI raised the Special Rate income threshold from €27,400 to €28,600, increased the Special Rate maintenance grant by €350 and Band 1 by €430, and raised the income threshold for the €500 Student Contribution Grant from €115,000 to €120,000. That last change means more households now qualify for help toward the €2,500 student contribution charge. Postgraduate fee contribution grants also went up by €500 from January 2026.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
Non-EU international students starting a master's or PhD (NFQ Level 9 or 10) at a partner Irish institution can apply for a Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship . Each award pays a €10,000 stipend for one year of study plus a full tuition and registration fee waiver from the host institution, with 60 scholarships available a year across participating colleges.
Apply through your chosen institution's international office once you have applied for or received an offer, since colleges nominate candidates rather than accepting open applications directly to the scheme.
University scholarships and bursaries
Individual universities and technological universities run their own entrance scholarships, sports scholarships and needs-based bursaries, with criteria and amounts set independently each year. Once you hold an offer, check your college's scholarships or student finance office page for what applies to your course and nationality, and note application deadlines, since many close before the academic year starts.
How to apply and what you need
Apply for SUSI online at susi.ie ahead of the academic year, with proof of income, residency history and course acceptance ready before you start the form. Processing takes time, so apply as soon as the portal opens rather than waiting for a confirmed college place, and update your application if your circumstances change before a decision issues.