Mature students and adult learners contemplating entering education or training need expert information and advice on funding to enable them to make informed decisions. ALFP (NI) has published, advised on and resourced a number of publications to assist potential learners make these decisions.
Funding information
Finance for learning overview This information provides basic information on funding for further, higher and postgraduate study.
Finance for learning overview for EU and international students in higher education This document provides basic information for students.
Banking and budgeting overview for students This document provides basic information for students.
Welfare benefits and study, a basic concept for students This document provides a brief overview of the main benefits and the impact of study.
Treatment of student support for full-time further education when calculating entitlement to Income Support and Housing Benefit This document provides a brief overview of how each element of funding is treated.
Treatment of student support for full-time higher education when calculating entitlement to income support and Housing Benefit This document provides a brief overview of how each element of funding is treated.
Students and Benefits Booklet 2008-09
This booklet is a guide for practitioners advising students on their entitlement to social security benefits. It is published is association with Law Centre (NI).
What types of funding does ALFP offer advice on?
ALFP offers advice on:
• statutory and discretionary funding for learning
• social security benefits
• alternative sources of funding such as bursary and trust funds
Statutory and discretionary funding
Funding for further and higher education is provided mainly by the Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI). The studentfinanceni website provides downloadable information materials and accepts online applications.
Funding will vary from individual to individual because most forms of support are means-tested. It is therefore advisable to get a forecast of potential funding to allow you to make an informed decision. ALFP can provide this forecast.
The Student Awards department at your local Education & Library Board can also help with information on both further and higher education.
Students with disabilities may qualify for non-means tested Disabled Students’ Allowances to provide specialist equipment, non-medical helpers or additional costs incurred as a direct result of your disability. Skill, National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, can offer advice.
Social Security Benefits
Most full-time students cannot claim means-tested benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. However lone parents and students with disabilities may qualify. Part-time students may find it relatively easier to claim means-tested benefits.
Some forms of student support will be treated as income in the calculation of means-tested benefits. ALFP can advise on how student income affects benefit entitlement.
Students with dependent children can claim Child Tax Credit if studying part-time or full-time and most forms of student support are disregarded in the calculation.
ALFP can provide advice on a wide range of Social Security Benefits and the potential impact of study e.g. Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Carer’s Allowance, Working Tax Credit and many more.
Alternative sources of funding
ALFP can provide information on a range of bursary and trust funds and give advice on making application.
At present the St. Colmcille's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, Holywood, have small grants to advance the education of people over 16 years of age. These are available to all dominations and none, living within the catchment area of the Conference. Those applying for a grant could expect a maximum of £500 towards any one course. Applicants can leave a message, on the North Down & Ards helpline Tel: 028 9127 2467.
Finance Factsheets
EGSA produces a comprehensive range of factsheets on funding for various types of learning e.g. finance for full-time further education. To access these factsheets you can register free of charge on the EGSA website, publications section
A guide to financial support for higher education students in 2007/2008 is available from www.studentfinanceni.co.uk. This website also facilitates online applications for full-time higher application students. Students entering higher education for the first time should complete form PN1 and those continuing students need to complete form PR1. Part-time students need to complete PTG forms, have them verified by the university or college they attend and return them to their appropriate Education and Library Board.
Students entering or continuing further education requiring information and application forms on ‘Further Education Awards’ should contact Studentfinanceni, Further Education Awards Section, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh. BT79 0AW.
ALFP Previous Study Overview
A basic overview of Previous Study for Students.
Career Development Loans
A Career Development Loan (CDL) is a deferred repayment bank loan to help you pay for vocational education or learning.
To qualify for a CDL you must meet a number of conditions including being ordinarily resident in Great Britain (i.e. England, Scotland or Wales) for a minimum of three months. Northern Irish students wishing to study in England, Scotland or Wales must also meet this condition. Northern Irish students studying in Northern Ireland do not qualify for a CDL. For further information contact the CDL Information Line on 0800 585 505.
About ALFP:
The Northern Ireland office of the National Union of Students and the Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI), and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) delivers ALFP jointly. It is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).
ALFP provides training to advisers on financial support for learning. ALFP covers funding for further, higher and postgraduate education as well as funding for community based and other types of training provision. ALFP information and advice services are free, confidential and impartial.
EGSA deals with all initial enquiries. Your query may be referred to a dedicated ALFP project worker in NUS-USI if the enquiry becomes more complex. Email EGSA info@egsa.org.uk.