Some 800 third level students awarded grants last year have been informed they are not eligible for a renewal of their grant this year because of “revised income thresholds” from last year’s budget.

The income thresholds for grant eligibility were lowered by 3 per cent in the 2012 budget. Households living exclusively off social welfare are not affected.

For 800 students who were within 3 per cent of being eligible for the lowest grant offered by the Government’s processing body, SUSI - Student Universal Support Ireland – this means they are ineligible for a grant of any kind this year and will receive no State support for the funding of their education.

The new income limits mean students in families with an annual income above €54,240 for a household with less than four children, €59,595 for between four and seven children, and €64,700 for a household with more than eight children, will not get a grant.

The earliest a grant payment can be made is the end of October, when registered students are confirmed by colleges. Registration fees are paid directly to colleges, so students can attend when they have grant approval, while maintenance grants are paid directly into students’ bank accounts.