What additional support is available this year 09/10?

Loans for extra attendance in the academic year

You can get an extra amount of income assessed loan to cover each extra week you have to be on your course above 30 term time weeks (plus the short holidays). If you have to be on the course for 45 weeks or more in any 12 month period, you will get an extra amount of loan as if you were studying for 52 weeks. The most you can get each week is as follows:

If you have to pay extra travel costs as a result of your course

If you are attending a course in medicine or dentistry, and you have to attend for clinical training at a place in the UK or Republic of Ireland other than your normal place of attendance, OR if you have to attend an educational institution outside the UK for at least 50% of each term, for which you are applying for. You can obtain a grant towards reasonable costs for travel to and from:

• the place in the UK or Republic of Ireland where your clinical training takes place for medical and dental students; or
• the country you have to go to if you are studying abroad.

The grant for travel costs is equal to the amount you reasonably have to pay less the first £303. Your ELB will decide whether the costs you have to pay are reasonable. This assistance is income assessed and is paid directly to you.

If you have to go to a college outside the UK or Republic of Ireland, for at least 50% of the term and you have to take out medical insurance, you can also get help to cover the cost of the insurance. The grant for medical insurance is equal to the amount of the premium.

Support Funds (Northern Ireland Institutions)

These are available through your college and provide help for students on lower income who may need extra financial support for their course in order to remain in higher education. The funds can meet particular course and living costs which are not already being met from other grants and can help if students are experiencing financial hardship. Payments are usually given as grants and do not have to be repaid, although sometimes they can be given as short-term loans. Your university or college will also decide whether to pay you in a lump sum or in instalments.

You will be assessed by your university or college based on your individual needs. However, the following groups of students are a priority for help from the Support Funds:

• Students with children, especially lone parents
• Other mature students, especially those with existing financial commitments
• Students from lower income families
• Disabled students who are not in receipt of DSA
• Students who have been in care
• Students from Foyers or who are homeless
• Students in their final year

Access to Learning Fund – (UK Institutions)

The Access to Learning Fund in UK Institutions outside Northern Ireland is similar to Support Funds. Students should apply to the student services department in the relevant institution for details on how to apply for assistance from this fund.

Other Sources of Financial Help

Various other sources of financial help for specific student groups or types of courses are available:

• Information for part-time students
• Information for students with a disability
• Information for students with children or other dependants