Part-Time Fee Grant Ireland: SUSI Application Process (2026)

Key Takeaways:

• The Part-Time Revolution: For the 2026/2027 academic year, the Irish government continues to fund the landmark Part-Time Undergraduate Fee Scheme. This scheme provides significant financial assistance to students studying eligible part-time or blended undergraduate courses.
• Credit-Based Funding: Unlike the full-time SUSI grant, the part-time scheme pays a specific fee contribution based entirely on the number of ECTS credits you undertake during the year.
• Fee Contribution Only: The part-time scheme strictly covers tuition fees (paid directly to the college). It does not provide a monthly cash maintenance grant.
• The €64,315 Threshold: To qualify for funding, a household with fewer than four dependent children must have a reckonable income of under €64,315.
• Strict Course Limits: The scheme only covers approved Level 6, 7, and 8 undergraduate courses that lead to a major award, averaging between 30 and 50 credits per year. Part-time PLCs and postgraduate courses are not eligible.

For decades, the Irish higher education funding model operated on a rigid, outdated assumption: to get a university degree, you had to study full-time. This effectively locked thousands of working adults, parents, and carers out of the education system, as they could not afford to quit their jobs or pay exorbitant part-time tuition fees out of pocket.

The introduction of the Part-Time Undergraduate Fee Scheme radically changed this landscape. Administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), this scheme acknowledges that modern education must be flexible.

If you are balancing a career or family commitments and wish to undertake an evening, weekend, or blended-learning undergraduate degree, SUSI will now step in and pay a significant portion—and sometimes all—of your tuition fees.

However, because the part-time scheme operates entirely differently from the traditional full-time SUSI grant, the application process and eligibility criteria frequently confuse applicants.

This comprehensive 2026/2027 guide will break down exactly how the part-time fee scheme works. We will explain the ECTS credit-based payment model, outline the strict income thresholds, detail the mandatory progression rules, and provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the SUSI application process.

1. How the Part-Time Funding Model Works

The most critical difference between full-time and part-time SUSI funding is how the money is calculated.

If you are a full-time student, SUSI typically pays a flat rate (e.g., the €2,500 Student Contribution Charge). If you are a part-time student, the amount SUSI pays depends directly on the academic weight of your course for that specific year.

The ECTS Credit System

Irish university courses are measured in European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. A standard full-time year is 60 credits. Because you are studying part-time, you will take fewer credits per year.

SUSI pays a specific maximum contribution based on your credit load.

If the actual cost of your course is less than the SUSI maximum, SUSI will pay the exact cost of the course. If the cost of your course is more than the SUSI maximum, SUSI pays the maximum, and you must pay the remaining balance to the college yourself.

2026/2027 Part-Time Fee Contribution Rates

(Source: Official SUSI Part-Time Fee Contribution Rates)

Number of ECTS Credits Undertaken	Maximum SUSI Fee Contribution
5 – 9 Credits	€750
10 – 14 Credits	€1,500
15 – 19 Credits	€2,250
20 – 24 Credits	€3,000
25 – 29 Credits	€3,750
30 – 34 Credits	€4,500
35 – 39 Credits	€5,250
40 – 44 Credits	€6,000
45 – 49 Credits	€6,750
50 Credits	€7,500

Practical Examples:

• Scenario A: You are taking 30 credits this year. The college charges €3,500 for the year. According to the table, SUSI’s maximum contribution for 30 credits is €4,500. Therefore, SUSI will pay the full €3,500. You pay €0.
• Scenario B: You are taking 20 credits this year. The college charges €3,500. SUSI’s maximum contribution for 20 credits is €3,000. SUSI pays €3,000, and you must pay the remaining €500 directly to the college.

2. Strict Eligibility Requirements

To stop the system from being overwhelmed, SUSI strictly limits who can access this funding and what type of courses they can study. You must pass every single one of the following filters.

1. The Course Filter

You cannot simply pick any evening class. To qualify for the 2026/2027 part-time scheme, the course must:

• Be an approved undergraduate course at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Degree), or Level 8 (Honours Degree).
• Lead to a Major Award. (Short CPD modules or minor unaccredited certificates do not qualify).
• Have a minimum average of 30 credits and a maximum average of 50 credits per academic year.
• Note: Postgraduate degrees (Level 9/10) and Further Education PLC courses (Level 5) are not eligible for this specific part-time scheme.

2. The Progression Rule

Just like the full-time grant, the government will only fund you to move forward in your education. You cannot receive part-time funding to study a Level 7 degree if you already hold a Level 7 or Level 8 degree. You must be progressing up the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

3. Nationality and Residency

You must be an Irish, UK, EU, EEA, or Swiss national (or hold a specific eligible immigration status, such as refugee status). Furthermore, you must have been legally resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK, or Switzerland for at least 3 of the previous 5 years before starting your course.

3. The Income Thresholds (The Means Test)

The part-time fee scheme is heavily means-tested. SUSI will calculate your household’s “Reckonable Income” for the previous calendar year.

• For the 2026/2027 academic year, SUSI assesses your gross household income from January 1st, 2025 to December 31st, 2025.
• If you are an independent mature student (over 23 and living away from your parents), you are assessed on your own income and your spouse/partner’s income.

Part-Time Income Thresholds (2026/2027)

To receive any funding under the part-time scheme, your total household reckonable income must fall strictly below the limits outlined below:

Number of Dependent Children in Household	Maximum Reckonable Income Limit
Fewer than 4 children	€64,315
4 to 7 children	€70,490
8 or more children	€76,410

• The Multiple Person Boost: If you have another person in your household attending a full-time further/higher education course, or an approved part-time course, the income limit is increased by €4,950 for each additional student.
• The Holiday Earnings Deduction: If you were a student in 2025 and worked during the holidays, SUSI allows you to deduct up to €8,830 of those earnings from your total reckonable income.

4. The Step-by-Step Application Process

The application process for the part-time scheme is handled entirely online through the standard SUSI portal. Do not wait until your course starts in September to apply; the portal opens in the spring, and early application is vital.

1.Create Your SUSI Account:

Go to SUSI.ie and access the student portal. You must register using your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN), date of birth, email address, and phone number. If you have applied to SUSI in the past, you must log in using your existing account details.

2.Complete the Online Form:

Select the application for the 2026/2027 academic year. The system will ask you if you are applying for a full-time or part-time course. Ensure you select part-time, as this triggers the correct income thresholds and credit-based assessments. Ensure all dates of birth and PPSNs for household members are 100% accurate, as SUSI checks these directly against Revenue databases.

3.Submit and Await the Checklist:

Once you submit the online form, SUSI’s automated system will perform an initial check. If they cannot verify your income automatically via the Revenue Commissioners, or if you are applying as an independent mature student, they will issue you a customized “Checklist Letter” requesting supporting documentation.

4.Return Supporting Documents:Crucial for avoiding delays.

You must gather the exact documents requested (e.g., P60s, utility bills to prove independent residency, birth certificates) and post photocopies to the SUSI PO Box in Cork. Do not send original documents. You can track the receipt of these documents using the online application tracker.

5.Receive Your Award Letter:

Once assessed, SUSI will issue an Award Letter confirming the exact fee contribution they will pay based on your ECTS credits. You must present this letter to your college’s fees or registration office so they know to bill SUSI instead of you.

Finalizing Your Part-Time Strategy

The expansion of SUSI funding to cover part-time undergraduate degrees is one of the most empowering policy shifts in recent Irish educational history. It completely removes the financial penalty previously associated with balancing a career and a degree.

If you are considering a part-time or blended degree for 2026, your first step is to confirm the academic weight of the course. Contact the college admissions office and ask them exactly how many ECTS credits Year 1 of the program entails. Once you have that number, check it against the SUSI contribution table, calculate your 2025 household income, and secure your funding early.

Disclaimer: The income thresholds, ECTS credit contribution rates, and eligibility criteria detailed in this guide are based on the published frameworks for the SUSI Part-Time Undergraduate Fee Scheme applicable to the 2026/2027 academic year. SUSI and the Department of Further and Higher Education hold absolute authority over grant assessments, and policies are subject to legislative adjustments. Prospective applicants must always consult the official SUSI Eligibility Indicator and SUSI.ie for legally binding assessments prior to enrolling in a course.