今日吃瓜

State (Government) Funding

  1. IPSS (International Protection Student Scheme)
  2. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland)
  3. BTEA (Back To Education Allowance)

(1) IPSS (International Protection Student Scheme)

The is for people who have been in the protection process for at least 3 years and who have not yet received a final decision on their protection application.

Since 2022 the International Protection Student Scheme has been administered by SUSI (the state awarding authority for student grants). NOW OPEN FOR 2026 APPLICATIONS. Click on the link above or the graphic below. Apply ASAP in order to get approval quickly, closing date is 5th November 2026.

Are you eligible for IPSS?

  1. You must have applied for protection in Ireland three years before the start date of your course.
  2. Your income for the previous year must not exceed stated levels.
  3. You must be undertaking an approved course in an approved college/university.
  4. You must be progressing in your education.
  5. You must not have received a final decision on your protection application, a DO, or be at JR stage.

Click on the logo/picture below for more information.

(2) SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland)

(Student Universal Support Ireland) provides financial support for students who are Irish citizens and refugees with Stamp 4. Not all Stamp 4 are eligible 鈥 see for full details. Most commonly people with refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain under Section 49 of the 2015 Act are eligible.

Under Budget 2027, the Government announced changes to student contributions and maintenance grants that benefit students - click for information on that.

Are you eligible for SUSI?

  1. You must be resident in Ireland for three years before the start date of your course.
  2. Your income for the previous year must not exceed stated levels.
  3. You must be undertaking an approved course in an approved college/university.
  4. You must be progressing in your education.
  5. For SUSI 鈥 you need a Stamp 4

Click on the logo/picture below for more information.

Important dates 鈥 (exact dates will be published on their website when available)

鈼 March - open for renewal applications (those continuing to 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year)

鈼 April - open for new applications (those entering 1st year)

鈼 June - priority closing date for renewal applications

鈼 July - priority closing date for new applications

鈼 November - normal closing date for all applications

You can apply later if you had a very specific change of circumstance 鈥 this could be income related or a change in your immigration status 鈥 see for full details about that.

(3) BTEA (Back to Education Allowance)

鈼 You need to be 18+ years old (or 24+ for postgraduate study & limited to certain masters). This does not cover fees, it is a maintenance / living allowance to help you pay rent, food, etc.

鈼 You need Stamp 4 Refugee status / Permission to remain to be eligible for this payment.

鈼 You need to have been on a social welfare payment for 9+ months if attending Higher Education (levels 7+) or for 3+ months if attending Further Education (levels 1-6).

鈼 You can apply for this payment if you receive your Stamp 4 during your course because the Daily Expense Allowance (鈧38.80) counts towards the 3+ or 9+ months.

鈼 You cannot receive Jobseekers Allowance while in full-time education.

鈼 There is a Part-Time Education Option (PTEO) available (details below under useful websites).

Click on the picture below to go to the government website with full details.

Towards the end of "3. Criteria of these Guidelines," you will see a section starting with:

鈥淎pplicants for International Protection entitlements to BTEA"

Applicants for International Protection who are studying full-time (including those previously supported through the Sanctuary Programmes) and who go on to receive their stamp 4 (permission to remain) after the commencement of the academic year are entitled to apply for BTEA. This extends applications for BTEA to Protection Applicants who have commenced studying prior to receiving their permission to remain (stamp 4), from the date that they have received this permission (or commencement of an academic year)鈥.鈥

Some 今日吃瓜eful Web Pages

  • NFQ National Framework of Qualifications -
  • Work Permit -
  • BTEA -
  • IPSS -
  • SUSI grant -
  • PTEO -