Student finance explained
Learn about the key stages of the student finance journey, from before you apply to making your last repayment. For each stage, we'll cover the most important topics so you'll know what to expect and when.
Before you applyWhat kind of funding is available and how your circumstances, like where you're from, will affect what you can get.
-
1. What we offer
Learn about Student Finance Northern Ireland and the types of funding we offer.
-
2. What can you get?
Working out what types of finance are available, information about loans and grants, your academic year and how your nationality and residency history can affect what you can get.
-
3. Understanding your living costs at university or college
Learn more about your living costs during study, how we calculate your funding and how you can make up the difference.
Applying for student financeHow and when you apply, submitting household income information and what happens after you've applied.
-
1. How and when to apply
Learn more about the different ways you can apply for student finance, what kind of information we'll ask for and final deadline information.
-
2. Submitting household income information
Why we ask for your household income information, who might be asked and what's involved. What happens if we do not get this information or we receive it close to the start of your course.
-
3. What happens after you apply
Learn more about the next steps you can take check your application progress and ensure that we have everything we need to fully assess your application, we cannot confirm your eligibility or pay you without it.
Student finance approvedWhat happens after your application has been approved and your entitlement letter has arrived.
-
1. Your Notification of Entitlement letter
Your Notification of Entitlement is one of the most important letters we'll send you, it confirms how much you're getting and when. Learn more about the letter including what information to check, what to do if something is wrong and what it means if you get another one.
-
2. Staying eligible for student finance during your studies
When you sign your student finance terms and conditions you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the loan. If you do not follow these, your student finance can be removed.
During your courseWhat to do if your circumstances change and how to keep your account up to date, reassessments and what to do if you've been overpaid.
-
1. Changes to your information or circumstances
You need to keep your account up to date even after you finish your studies. Find out how to do it.
-
2. Reassessment of your entitlement
What is a reassessment, why does it happen and how does it affect your funding?
-
3. Overpayment following a reassessment
A grant or loan overpayment could affect your current or future funding. Learn more about what it is, how it can happen and what it could mean for you.