Cost-of-Living Package for Students in Third Level Education

 2024/25 Academic Year

Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has outlined a significant cost of living package for third level students in the budget announced on 1st October 2024.

The package includes a:

  • Once-off €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative (Postgraduate students and students ineligible under the criteria of the free fee initiative are not eligible for this funding). This should be reflected on student accounts where eligible. If you have already paid in full please follow the instructions here to provide your bank details.
  • Once-off increase of €1,000 in the support to SUSI qualified Post Graduate students, increasing from €4,000 to €5,000. This is reflected on student accounts where eligible.

More details on the funding package for the tertiary sector can be found  here

Budget 2025 also provides for:

  •  €1.5 billion package over six years of current and capital investment for research, skills and higher education
  • Increase core funding by €150 million annually
  • The renters’ tax credit will be topped up by €250 to €1,000 per renter for this year and will stay at that level for 2025

From September 2024, student contribution fees will be abolished for all incomes under €55,924 via applications to SUSI

  • ⁠Increasing the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant threshold from €26,200 to €27,400. 
  • Increasing Standard Rate Maintenance Grant thresholds and Student Contribution Grant thresholds by 15 per cent. 
  • Increasing the Postgraduate Fee Contribution threshold and the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme threshold to match the new 100 per cent Student Contribution threshold of €64,315. 

This will include students on specified undergraduate part-time/part-time online courses.

Contact fees

The Fees Office is located on the ground floor of Áras Uí Chathail.

Reception Open: Monday to Friday: 10 am to 12.30 pm and 2 - 4 pm

Please read the FAQ section of the web page and if you cannot find an answer to your query please email including your 8-digit CAO / University of Galway student ID number.

Telephone Service on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 10.30 am - 12.30 pm on +353 91 492386

Go to https://www.universityofgalway.ie/fees/ and click on Ask Cara (bottom right-hand corner). Cara is the virtual assistant for University of Galway students. Available 24/7/365 to support you with questions, about day-to-day university life. Most of your fee queries can be answered here.

Email: fees@universityofgalway.ie