To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any financial support that is available to those studying higher education courses in further education colleges.

Students studying designated Higher Education courses at Further Education colleges can generally access the same categories of undergraduate student support as those studying in Higher Education Institutions, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria and means-testing where applicable.

For full-time study, this may include a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan and, where eligible, either a Maintenance Grant or a Special Support Grant, together with supplementary support such as Disabled Students’ Allowance, Childcare Grant, Adult Dependants’ Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance.

For part-time Higher Education courses, support arrangements may include a Tuition Fee Loan, Fee Grant, Course Grant and Disabled Students’ Allowance, subject to eligibility. In addition, Further Education students may be able to access wider support funded by my Department, including Hardship Funds, FE grants where applicable, Care to Learn childcare support, Home to College transport assistance and Free School Meals. Educational Maintenance Allowance may also be available for eligible students.

Financial support is administered through Student Finance NI, Further Education colleges and the Education Authority, depending on the scheme and the student’s circumstances.