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Support for part-time students

If you are a part-time higher education student and studying at least 50 per cent of an equivalent full-time course, you may be entitled to a grant towards your fees and course costs.

Help for part-time students

Entitlement to the grants will depend on your income and that of your husband, wife or partner and there is no age limit for this support. Your 'Student Finance NI' office will work out how much support you can get. You will not have to repay this help. Your college will be able to tell you if your course qualifies.

Students who already have a degree cannot normally apply for this support.

Fee grant

In 2012/2013 there are three different rates of fee grant depending on how intensive your course is:

Course intensity Maximun fee grant
Less than 60 per cent of the full-time course £820
Equivalent to 60 per cent to 74 per cent of the full-time course £985
Equivalent to 75 per cent or more of the full-time course £1,230

Course grant

In 2012/13 the maximum course grant is £265 and does not depend on how intensive your course is.

Maximum amounts available

The total maximum amounts available to part-time students therefore are:

Course intensity Maximum amounts
For students on a part-time course equivalent to less than 60 per cent of the full-time course

Up to a total of £1,085 made up as follows:

  • fee grant of up to £820
  • course grant of up to £265
For students on a part-time course equivalent to 60 per cent to 74 per cent of the full-time course

Up to a total of £1,250 made up as follows:

  • fee grant of up to £985
  • course grant of up to £265
For students on a part-time course equivalent to 75 per cent or more of the full-time course

Up to a total of £1,495 made up as follows:

  • fee grant of up to £1,230
  • course grant of up to £265

Part-time students attending higher education institutions in England and Wales

Students from Northern Ireland will continue to be entitled to apply for the part-time student financial package of a means tested fee grant of up to £1,230 and a course grant of up to £265, regardless of where in the UK they undertake the course.

From academic year 2012/13 Northern Ireland domiciled students who wish to attend a Higher Education part-time course, including Open University courses in England and Wales should be aware that part-time tuition fees will face a potentially significant increase. Depending on the intensity of study, this may be as much as £6,750.

There will be no tuition fee loans available for part-time tuition fees from the Student Finance NI offices, and Northern Ireland students will have to financially make up the difference between the current fee grant and the tuition fee charged by the Higher Education Institution in England and Wales.

Students should check the level of part-time tuition fees with the relevant Higher Education Institution.

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