CAO Application for a Maintenance Fee Grant (SUSI)
If you wish to apply for a grant you may indicate this on your CAO online application. CAO will then provide your identification,
contact and offer/acceptance details to the grant authority (SUSI).Ticking this section of the CAO form does not mean that
you have applied to SUSI so please make sure to visit www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie to complete the
necessary steps.Other than providing these details to the grant authority, CAO plays no role in processing grant applications.
SUSI – Maintenance/Fee Grant Application
Applications for those entering Higher Education in 2019 will open when the 2019 Grants Scheme is announced by the Department of Education and Skills.
See www.studentfinance.ie and www.susi.ie for information on grants. Applicants who wish to apply for a Maintenance/Fee Grant should first check their eligibility at www.studentfinance.ie.
Please see the SUSI web site for information on courses offered through CAO that are eligible for funding.
If you wish to apply for a grant, you may indicate this on your CAO online application. CAO will then provide your Identification, Contact and Offer/Acceptance details to the grant authority (SUSI).
Other than providing these details to the grant authority, CAO plays no role in processing grant applications.
Contact CAO
Please Note: Office contact hours are 09:30 to 13:00, and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.
The best and most effective way of communicating with CAO is via the e-mail contact form.
If you have a CAO Application Number please include it in all communication – this will allow us the opportunity to review your application and reply to your query, usually within one working day.
If your query is in relation to eligibility, exemptions, restrictions and course-related requirements you should contact the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) directly. Click here for their contact details.
For all media and press enquiries please click here.
DARE / HEAR
Applicants, parents and Guidance Counsellors with questions about completing the HEAR or SIF/DARE form should consult the published guides and contact CAO if they cannot find answers to their questions. We will have staff trained in dealing with queries on completing these sections of the form.
Questions on how applicants will be assessed and how offers are to be determined should be directed to the Access and Disability Offices in Higher Education Institutions and not CAO. CAO plays no part in making decisions on admissions.
To speak to a DARE representative in the Access Office of each of the participating institutions please use the contact details listed here.
To speak to a HEAR representative in the Access Office of each of the participating institutions please use the contact details listed here.
Address:
Central Applications Office
Tower House
Eglinton Street
Galway
H91 X25V
Ireland
Tel. +353-(0)91-509800
Fax +353-(0)91-562344
At certain points during the application process phone lines will be extremely busy and we advise all applicants to send their query through the online contact us form.
Complaints:
CAO aims to deliver a high quality service to all clients. If you have a complaint about the quality of service you have received from CAO please let us know. Write or e-mail us using the contact details above and mark your message “complaints”. All complaints will be dealt with promptly, fairly and impartially.
Important: decisions on admissions are made by Higher Education Institutions, not CAO. If you have a complaint about a decision of a Higher Education Instituion you must contact the relevant Higher Education Institution directly.
Independent Appeals Commission:
The CAO has an Independent Appeals Commission (IAC), to which recourse may be had by applicants who believe that they have been treated unfairly by CAO, and whose complaints have not been resolved by CAO.
The role of the Appeals Commission is to ascertain whether or not an applicant has been unfairly treated by CAO.
The CAO IAC considers appeals in a consistent manner under the following set of tests:
- Has CAO made an error or omission in instructing the applicant or in processing the applicant’s application?
- Has the applicant been given clear instructions?
- Has the applicant been given reasonable opportunity to provide information correct, complete and on time?
- Has the applicant been given reasonable opportunity to correct errors or omissions?
- Has some event or circumstance, outside of the applicant’s control, prevented the applicant availing of the above opportunities?
Appeals must be made in writing, be signed by the applicant and must describe the alleged unfair treatment. Appropriate supporting documentation should accompany the appeal.
The Appeals Commission cannot set the rules aside for applicants who appeal for special treatment. Appeals should be addressed to: The Secretary, CAO Independent Appeals Commission, c/o Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Ireland.
Central Applications Office Ltd. (Universities and other Higher Education Institutions)
Registered in Ireland Number 53983
Registered Office: Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway.
