Student Finance NI is a partnership between the Education Authority (EA) and the Student Loans Company (SLC)

You will be required to repay the loan once you earn over the minimum repayment threshold

The Education Authority Part Time Student Finance Section, are responsible for the processing of all part time higher education Student Finance NI applications. The College has no involvement in this process.

• Support
• Student Finance
• Student Finance NI Part Time

The loan is not means tested

The Education Authority Part Time Student Finance Section, based in Ballymena, are responsible for the processing of all part time higher education Student Finance NI applications. The College has no involvement in this process.

The College requires all students to pay appropriate fees at the point of enrolment. Students who inform Customer Services of their intention to apply for a part time tuition fee grant can avail of the following enhanced arrangement at enrolment:

• 25% deposit payable at the point of enrolment
• Completed direct debit mandate must also be submitted at the point of enrolment

The student should then complete and submit their application form to their local Student Finance NI office. Confirmation of funding must then be submitted to Customer Services as soon as it is received. Any refund due to the student will be issued by the College Finance Department.

If the confirmation of funding award letter from Student Finance NI is not submitted prior to the first direct debit instalment the College will proceed with taking the direct debit. If the application for funding is unsuccessful or does not meet the full course fee the student is liable for the remaining outstanding fees.

In all circumstances, the student is responsible for the payment of the total fee whether they complete the course or not. In the event of Student Loans Company not releasing the full amount of the award the student will be required to pay the remaining balance of the total fee.

Students undertaking their first higher education course e.g. foundation degree, HNC or HND should apply to Student Finance NI for financial support.

Support is available in the form of Tuition Fee Grant, Tuition Fee Loan (for students whose income is too high to receive the tuition fee grant or whose course fees are more than the amount of tuition fee grant received) and Course Grant. Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are also available.

A non-repayable, fee grant to help towards the cost of the tuition fees. You could receive up to ?1,203 depending on your course intensity and the cost of your course fees. How much you receive will also depend on your household income. The fee grant is paid directly to the College on your behalf.

A fee loan to help towards the cost of the tuition fees. Your fee loan will be reduced by any amount of fee grant that you receive. The fee loan is paid directly to the College on your behalf in three instalments.

The Course Grant can help towards the cost of books, travel and other course-related expenses. You could receive up to ?265 depending on your household income. The amount of grant that you receive is based on your household income. The course grant is paid directly payday loans bad credit Brownsville into your bank account in one lump sum payment.

These are available to students who have extra costs because of a disability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty. DSA’s do not depend on household income. How much a student receives depends on an individual needs assessment. A DSA application form can be downloaded from the Student Finance NI website.

Applications can be completed online, however your application will not be finalised until the Course Intensity section is completed by the College. This can only be completed for returning students after the student has completed enrolment for the Academic Year. For new students enrolment must be completed and you must have attended your course for a minimum of two weeks before the form can be signed.

To save you from having to phone up and enquire about common topics we have created this frequently asked questions area.