Education and Other Outcomes for SUSI Support Recipients 2012-2022. 

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published Education and Other Outcomes for SUSI Support Recipients 2012-2022.

This new release analyses the outcomes of students and learners who received financial support from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) in higher and further education using administrative and Census data. This is a joint release between the CSO and SUSI.

The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) has played a significant role in providing financial assistance to students pursuing higher education in Ireland. A detailed analysis of the period from 2012 to 2022 reveals the impact of this support on educational outcomes for both honours degree and general degree students, as well as Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) learners. Below are the key findings based on the educational achievements and completion rates of students who received SUSI support compared to those who did not.

Key Findings:

1. Higher Education Support for New Entrants:
   • 45% of new entrants to honours degrees (NFQ Level 8) received maintenance or fee support from SUSI.
   • The percentage was higher for students entering general degrees (NFQ Level 7), with 62% receiving SUSI support. These figures indicate that a significant portion of new students entering higher education rely on SUSI for financial aid, especially those pursuing general degree programs.
2. Completion Rates for Mature Students:
   • Among mature students (aged 23 and over) pursuing honours degrees, 71% of those who received SUSI support completed their degree, compared to 65% of those without support.
   • For mature students in general degree programs, the difference was more pronounced, with 70% of SUSI-supported students completing their degree, compared to only 59% of those who did not receive support.

   These findings suggest that SUSI support has a positive influence on the likelihood of mature students completing their degrees, particularly for general degree programs.

3. Completion Rates for Students Under 23:
   • For honours degree students under the age of 23, 79% of those who received SUSI support completed their degree, while 86% of students without support completed theirs. This data shows that younger students receiving SUSI support have slightly lower completion rates compared to their peers who do not receive financial aid.
4. Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Learners:
   • A ‘major award with distinction’ was achieved by 39% of all PLC learners, while the figure for SUSI-supported learners was 36%.
   • Overall, 81% of SUSI-supported PLC learners achieved an educational award, compared to 74% of those without SUSI support.

   These statistics highlight that SUSI-supported PLC learners are highly likely to achieve an educational award, although the proportion achieving distinctions is marginally lower compared to the overall group.

Analysis and Implications:

• Financial Support’s Impact on Degree Completion: The data clearly shows that SUSI financial support has a positive impact on degree completion rates, especially among mature students. Mature students often face additional challenges such as balancing work, family, and study, making financial support critical for their academic success.For younger students, while SUSI support aids many in completing their honours degrees, the data suggests that those without support exhibit slightly higher completion rates. This may indicate that students not reliant on financial assistance could have access to other forms of support, or may experience fewer financial pressures.
• Success in Post Leaving Certificate Programs: In PLC programs, SUSI support plays a key role in helping students achieve major awards. The high percentage of PLC learners with SUSI support achieving educational qualifications (81%) underlines the importance of financial aid in supporting students in vocational and skills-based education. The slightly lower rate of distinctions among SUSI-supported learners (36% versus 39%) may suggest additional factors at play in achieving the highest level of awards.

Conclusion:

The period from 2012 to 2022 has shown that SUSI support has been vital in helping students from diverse backgrounds access and complete their education. For mature students, in particular, the support significantly increases completion rates, contributing to social mobility and lifelong learning. While the impact on younger students is less pronounced, the role of financial aid remains essential, especially in maintaining equitable access to higher education for all.

SUSI continues to be a cornerstone of student financial support in Ireland, contributing to the success of thousands of students each year. As the landscape of higher education evolves, SUSI’s role in leveling the playing field for students from different socio-economic backgrounds will remain critical.