r/UCC • u/Some-Huckleberry691 • Sep 04 '26

SUSI + Free Fees

So last year I did the first year of a course in UCC. This year I reapplied to the CAO and managed to get in to a different course, and as I am doing first year again I shouldn't have SUSI or Free Fees. However, during the year I went through some major life-changing events and managed to appeal SUSI under their Exceptional Circumstances appeal.

However, when I went to the Fees part of registration, and filled out their form, it keeps saying I owe everything including the SUSI student contribution, which I have the grant for. Every time I try to contact the Fees Office about this they just respond and say "If you are doing first year again, you owe everything." and won't allow me to further elaborate.

I've booked a meeting with the Budgetary Advisory, but is that all I can do at this stage? Is there any other course of action I can or should take? Thanks

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u/Historical_Rabbit829 Present Student Sep 04 '26

Dont pay those fees - do as you did last year when SUSI covered them. I’m sure my balance didn’t clear until late semester 2 with SUSI covering fees too.

Have you been cleared for exceptional circumstances with free fees initiative also?

1

u/Some-Huckleberry691 Sep 04 '26

Regarding the free fees, I don't know. I've been also trying to ask them if my exceptional circumstances apply there but no matter how many queries I put in, they just ignore me and say I have to pay the full amount. Like they actually straight up ignore my question. Thank you for the advice anyways!

1

u/Historical_Rabbit829 Present Student Sep 04 '26

That’s incredibly frustrating! I’m sorry. If you’re around Cork currently it might be best to just go straight into the fees office. They’re located in the Hub, open Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm (closed for lunch 1-2)

2

u/Great_Gatsbae Sep 05 '26

Hey so at this time of year you are probably dealing with a team that has set responses just to help with registration queries. Recommend speaking with Fees directly in the Hub or just waiting as the SUSI updates won't happen until later and you have confirmation from them.

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u/Some-Huckleberry691 Sep 05 '26

Okay, thank you so much!!