This is a complex subject and not every question can be answered here. This article covers the main points and outlines government departments and other bodies which provide financial help to students. It is
essential to read the booklet “A guide to financial support for higher education students” produced annually by the Department for Employment and Learning’s Student Support Branch and available on their website at
www.delni.gov.ukIt is also available from the Education and Library Board in your area.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLEHIGHER EDUCATIONBursariesFrom 1 September 2002 means-tested non-repayable bursaries of up to £1500 per year have been available. These bursaries will be targeted at students from low-income backgrounds.
LoansStudent loans are available to students to help meet their living costs while they are studying. Interest on these loans is limited to inflation so that they do not attract the higher rates charged by banks or commercial lenders. You should apply to your Board for a loan at the same time that you apply for support towards tuition fees. Your Board will assess the amount of loan you are entitled to and will ask you to say how much of it you want to apply for. You should then inform the Student Loans Company (SLC) of this amount and they will pay it to you – address at end.
Hardship Loans and Access FundsHardship Loans and Access Funds are available to students who may otherwise be put off going into, or staying in, higher education because of the cost.
Supplementary Grants for Students in Particular CircumstancesIn certain cases, for example, if you are disabled or have dependants you may be able to receive extra help as part of your student support. Some courses also attract financial help if they require you to travel.
FURTHER EDUCATION Tuition Fees Full-time students on
vocational courses, do not have to pay any tuition fees.
Bursaries Discretionary means-tested non-repayable bursaries of up to £1500 per year are available to full-time students, aged 19 and over. Students should apply for a bursary through their Education and Library Board.
Access Funds Additional financial support through Access Funds, is available from FE colleges to students who experience financial difficulties while in further education.
WHERE TO APPLY Education and Library Boards (ELB): administer awards for all first-time primary degrees, teacher training/PGCE, diploma of Higher Education, HND/HNC and approved post-graduate vocational courses. Others include approved further education courses.ELB addresses are included in the Further Information section.
Department for Employment and Learning: administers awards for post-graduate courses at The Queen’s University of Belfast and the University of Ulster. See relevant address in Further Information section.
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: administers awards for degree and non-degree full-time vocational courses at Enniskillen, Greenmount and Loughry Colleges. Awards are also available for some post-graduate courses. See relevant address in Further Information section.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety: Those studying in Northern Ireland for any of the following degree courses are eligible to apply for a Health Services bursary:
Nursing and midwifery – contact the Central Services Agency For Health & Personal Social Services Tel. 028 9032 4431
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, speech and language therapy, chiropody/podiatry and dietetics - contact your local ELB who deals with bursaries on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
If you plan to do one of the above degree courses in England, Wales or Scotland you should apply to the relevant body in each country. Your local ELB should be able to give these addresses. This also applies to courses in orthoptics, prosthetics and orthotics as they are not available in Northern Ireland.
FINANCIAL HELP FROM OTHER SOURCES • Individual universities sometimes offer scholarships, which are awarded on a competitive basis. Contact registrars of individual universities for further information. The amount of money involved is usually quite small and not normally enough to support a student throughout a complete university course. A useful contact is the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) – see address at end. EGAS is an independent advice agency for people wanting to get funding for further or higher education. It is mainly concerned with helping students who are not eligible for statutory funding. It may also be able to help those who do receive statutory funding but are still in extreme financial difficulties.
• Some firms and organisations are willing to sponsor students on full-time or sandwich courses. These scholarships are valuable both financially and practically. If you are sponsored it means that a job is waiting for you when you finish your course.
• If you are attending a college in England or Wales and cannot get funding to help pay for your course you may be able to apply for a Career Development Loan (CDL). The Department for Education and Skills manages CDLs through partnership with a number of high street banks.
These loans are not available to students studying in Northern Ireland. FURTHER READING Financial Support for Higher Education Students - available from ELBs – addresses below.
FURTHER INFORMATION Awards Section, Belfast Education and Library Board, 40 Academy Street, Belfast BT1 2NQ. Tel: 028 9056 4000
Awards Section, Western Education and Library Board, Campsie House, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone BT79 0AW. Tel: 028 8241 1411
Awards Section, North-Eastern Education and Library Board, County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, Co Antrim BT42 1HN. Tel: 028 2565 3333
Awards Section, South-Eastern Education and Library Board, Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 0HS. Tel: 028 9056 6200
Awards Section, Southern Education and Library Board, 3 Charlemont Place, Armagh BT61 9AX. Tel: 028 3751 5970
Department for Employment and Learning, Student Support Branch, Adelaide House, 39-49 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8FD Tel. 028 9025 7710 / 257756
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB. Tel: 028 9052 0100
Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS), 501-505 Kingsland Road, Dalston, London E8 4AU. Tel: 020 7249 6636 (enclose S.A.E.)
National Union of Students/Union of Students in Ireland (NUS/USI), 29 Bedford Street, Belfast BT2 7EJ. Tel: 028 9024 4641
Student Loans Company Limited, 100 Bothwell Street, Glasgow G2 7JD. Freephone 0800 405 010