Student maintenance grant increases from today

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Students maintenance grants will increase from today as part of changes agreed in Budget 2023.

The Special and Band 1 maintenance grant rates increase by 14%, and all other maintenance grant rates by 10%.

Students will see their rates increase proportionally, with students in the 2023/2024 academic year seeing the full benefit of the rate increase.

The increases come on top of other measures introduced to help students as part of Budget 2023.

In December, eligible PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students who receive the special rate of grant were paid the equivalent to one extra monthly maintenance grant payment.

Speaking today, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said that the grant is important for thousands of students and their families across the country.

“It is my job as Minister to ensure every person, regardless of their background, has the same opportunity to access further and higher education,” he said.

“That is why we reduced the contribution fee by €1,000 for all undergraduate students eligible for free fees, and effective from today we are increasing all student maintenance grant payments by at least 10%.”