Students seeking maintenance grants and other college financial aid for the 2015/2016 academic year can now make applications on the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) website.
The facility has opened two weeks earlier than last year as the organisation is seeking to improve on delivery times in processing applications.
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General earlier this month criticised the manner in which SUSI was established three years ago, saying "many of the expected benefits of the new centralised process did not materialise" in the initial phase.
However, the report said that “the performance by SUSI was much improved” subsequently.
SUSI said it processed more than 103,000 applications for 2014/2015, with 74,000 students receiving funding. It said that applications were due to rise to more than 110,000 for next year.
In order to meet the challenges posed by such numbers, SUSI said it had introduced several further improvements, including the earlier application opening date, a redesigned and more user-friendly website, more automated validation of the online application form, and extended data sharing with Government departments and agencies.
The closing date for ensuring an application for a renewed grant is prioritised is June 12th, 2015, while the closing date for new applications is August 1st, 2015.
CAO deadline
Another date to remember this week is the CAO late application deadline of Friday, May 1st.
Potential applicants for a place at a third-level institution are advised to register on the system well in advance of this deadline.
Once registered, applicants can subsequently use the online “Change of Mind” facility, which opens on May 5th at noon. This facility remains open until 5.15pm on July 1st.
As well as criticising the manner in which SUSI was established, the Comptroller report found that €1.9 million was paid to 850 students who were not eligible for the grant in 2012/13.
Additional overpayments totalling €2.16 million were made, comprising €653,000 paid to postgraduate students, €1.2 million paid to non-Irish/non-EU nationals resident in the State, and €310,000 paid to students not attending courses or who had withdrawn from courses.
