Elsewhere on Ulster
There are a range of Financial Support available to students.
There is a range of financial provisions available depending on the course of study, for example:
Students do not have to pay fees if studying a Further Education (FE) course.
The course levels are:
If selecting to study a Higher Education (HE) course the payment of fees does apply in respect of:
When on NI Direct, here are the key search items you may require:
How Can a Young Person get Higher Education Funding in Northern Ireland?
A care experienced young person will be entitled to apply online for:
A care experienced young person may be eligible for a Special Support Grant if they:
Young people leaving the care of a Health and Social Care Trust or local authority are classed as independent by Student Finance NI, provided they have not returned to parental care. This means their student finance assessment is not based on their parents’ household income.
As independent students, they are entitled to the maximum Maintenance Grant, along with additional support such as loans for tuition fees and living costs. The Maintenance Grant does not need to be repaid.
In line with the Trust’s responsibility to support young people in education, the responsible Trust is required to undertake a financial needs assessment with the young person well in advance of them embarking on their course of study. This assessment should clearly outline the expected expenditure, associated costs, and the sources of funding available to help the young person begin and sustain their studies.
Where external sources of funding do not meet the full cost of the course, the Trust should provide a grant payable to the young person to ensure all costs are covered. This ensures there is no financial barrier preventing the young person from pursuing Further Education. The Trust should also maintain regular contact with the individual to remain informed about their ongoing progress.
Student Support Services within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) serve as a primary source of support for both young people and the staff or carers assisting them. These services can help identify financial and other forms of support, and such resources should be fully utilised.
