Budget 2024 has seen Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe announce a reduction in the student contribution fee for third-level students.
All students will receive a once-off reduction of at least €1,000 in their fees. The reduction goes up to €1,500 for students living in households with an income of less than €100,000. This will bring the student contribution fee down to €2,000 or €1,500 for the 2024/25 academic year.
PhDs are also set to benefit from this year’s budget with the Post Graduate Tuition fee contribution set to increase by €1,000 for student grant recipients.
Apprentices in higher education will also see a once-off reduction of approximately 33% in their contribution fees.
These measures bring the maximum student contribution fee for third-level students down to the 2022/23 fee of €2,000. Last year those with incomes between €62,000 and €100,000 were eligible for a €500 grant towards their fees.
This year the government has taken a more sweeping approach with all third-level students seeing an at least €1,000 reduction in their student contribution fee regardless of their household’s income.
The measure is hoped to reduce the pressure placed on students and parents’ pockets by the cost-of-living crisis. The measure is also paired with an amended rental tax credit of €750, which can now be claimed by “rent a room” and “digs” tenants.
