1. Studying in the Republic of Ireland Starting a HE course on or after 1st September 2013 (with notes)
Student Finance is available so that students can make the most of their time at university or college without having to worry about money.
However, in order to receive any Student Finance all students must be able to meet a number of eligibility criteria or conditions.

2. Introduction
Applies only to students assessed through Student Finance NI
Contribution (Registration) Fee
Maintenance Loans
Maintenance Grants
Additional support
In this short presentation we are going to look at what financial support is available for students from Northern Ireland who decide to study in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Grants and loans are available to NI students studying in the ROI including a loan for Student Contribution Fee (also know as Registration Fee) and a maintenance loan for living costs. A Maintenance Grant is payable to some students depending on household income.

3. New policy for students starting from September 2013 No tuition fees
Contribution Fees
New policy for students starting from September 2013
No tuition fees
Contribution fees (Registration fees)
€3,000 in 2016/17
Apply through SFNI
Not means tested
Contribution Fee Loan available
Repayable
Student from Northern Ireland who study in the Republic of Ireland are not required to pay tuition fees. However, under the present arrangements they pay a Student Contribution Fee (also known as a Registration Fee) each year. For students whose course starts on or after 1st Sept 2013 there is a Contribution Fee Loan available to eligible students who require a loan to pay this fee. Students at a University or College in the Republic of Ireland will receive an additional financial notification informing them of their entitlement to the Contribution Fee Loan after they make their application for the 2016/17 academic year.
The Contribution Fee Loan is non means tested and is repayable.
Students who applied for student finance and started their course prior to September 2013 will continue to have their Registration Fee paid by their local Student Finance Office.

4. Up to £4,840 if living away from home Up to £3,750 if living at home
Maintenance Loan
Up to £4,840 if living away from home
Up to £3,750 if living at home
25% of the loan is means tested
Remainder is not means tested
Apply through Student Finance NI
Loans are repayable
The Maintenance Loan is available to all eligible students. There are two elements to the Maintenance Loan. 75% of the loan is non means tested but the rest is means tested based on the students household income. So every eligible student can make an application if they want a loan. Students from lower and middle income families can ask to have their financial support means tested and this could make more loan available. Maintenance Loan amounts are reduced in the final year of the course.
The means tested part of the Maintenance Loan is based on household income and requires sponsors to declare their income when the student makes an application to Student Finance NI.
The Maintenance Loan for living costs has to be repaid.

5. Paid in three instalments Means tested Not repayable
Maintenance Grant
Up to £3,475
The Maintenance Loan will be reduced when a Maintenance Grant is payable
Paid in three instalments
Means tested
Not repayable
Student from Northern Ireland who study in the Republic of Ireland can apply for a Maintenance Grant for students from lower and middle income households. Applicants with a household income below £19,204 receive the full amount and the grant decreases down to £50 for applicants with a household income of £41,065.
The Maintenance Grant entitlement is based on household income and students who have asked for means tested loan will automatically be assessed for the Grant.
Students assessed as eligible for the Maintenance Grant will have their Maintenance Loan reduced but will have the same amount available to them.

6. Special Support Grant
Paid instead of Maintenance Grant for some students
Same amount as the Maintenance Grant
Means tested
Does NOT reduce the Maintenance Loan amount
Eligibility
Evidence
About 1% of eligible students in Northern Ireland are entitled for a Special Support Grant. The Special Support Grant is means tested and is the same amount as a Maintenance Grant but differs in that there is no reduction in the Maintenance Loan for the amount of Special Support Grant paid. This means the overall support amount is higher. The student can receive the full Special Support Grant and apply for the full Maintenance Loan if they want to do so.
Students could be eligible for Special Support Grant if they are for example a lone parent or are deaf and qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowance. There is more information on the eligibility criteria on our website or in the application notes with the paper application form together with information on the types of evidence required to support an application.

7. Other Support Available
Help for students with children
Help for students who have a disability
Assessed through Student Finance NI
Specific queries should be directed to the student’s local Student Finance Office
There is additional financial support available for students who have children and for students who have a disability. You can find more information about additional financial support in our other presentations and on our website.
Use the Education Authority (EA) finder on our website to get the telephone number and address of the local student finance offices.