[Article] Increases in student-grant limits outlined

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0718/breaking17.htm

Increases in student-grant limits outlined

The details of the Increase in student-grant income limits from the start of the 2008/09 academic year were announced today by Minister for Education and Science Batt O’Keeffe.

The income limits are being increased in line with movements in the average industrial wage for students in receipt of the standard rates of grant.

The top limit for grant eligibility where there are less than four dependent children has been increased from €48,335 to €49,690. This ensures over 56,000 students from households with moderate incomes will not have to pay the student service charge, a statement from the Minister said.

In addition, for some 13,000 students in receipt of the higher, special rate of maintenance grant, the annual income threshold is being increased by 11.6 per cent from €18,055 to €20,147 in line with the relevant social welfare comparators.

Mr O'Keeffe indicated that current rates of maintenance grants would continue to apply up to the end of 2008.

“Increases in student grants will, in future, be considered as part of the annual Budget process in December each year and rates will become effective on a financial, rather than an academic year basis. Student grant rates from January 2009 will be considered in the context of the December budget,” he said.

The Minister continued: ”These increases in the income limits will serve to ensure that students from families on low to middle incomes will continue to benefit from State support towards the living costs associated with participation in third-level education.”

The 2008/09 student grant schemes have been issued to the awarding bodies - the local authorities and the VECs. The schemes can be accessed and/or downloaded from the “Students & Trainees” section of the website of the Department of Education and Science at www.education.ie.

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