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Extra financial help for students

On top of Student Loans, grants and bursaries, you may be able to claim extra financial help in some circumstances. Extra help may be available if you have children or adult dependants, a disability, if you're in financial hardship or if you're taking certain types of course.

Students with children

If you're a full-time higher education student with dependent children, the Childcare Grant may be able to help with childcare costs, and the Parents' Learning Allowance with costs related to your course.

  • Extra help for students with children

Students with a disability

If you have an impairment, medical condition or a learning difficulty, you may be entitled to claim extra financial help as a student - including Disabled Students' Allowance.

  • Financial help for students with disabilities

Students in financial difficulty

If you're in hardship and need extra financial support, universities and colleges in Northern Ireland can provide it through their Support Funds. You can apply if you're a full-time or part-time higher education student, or you're doing a postgraduate course.

Benefits for students with low incomes

Most full-time students are not entitled to claim social security benefits. However, if you are a part-time student you may be eligible for income-related benefits such as Housing Benefit or Income Support. Contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office for information.

More useful links

  • Get facts and figures on universities, colleges and courses
  • Careers Service
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Types of student finance available

  • All Ireland Scholarships
  • Bursaries, scholarships and awards
  • Extra financial help for students
  • Extra help for students with children
  • Financial support for students from outside Northern Ireland
  • Health professional courses
  • Initial Teacher Training
  • Maintenance Grant
  • Postgraduate awards
  • Student Loans
  • Support for part-time students
  • Support Funds
  • University and college bursaries

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If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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