Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant
If you normally live in Northern Ireland and are doing a full-time higher education course in the UK, you may be able to get help with accommodation and other living costs through the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. Whether you qualify - and the level of grant you’ll get - depends on your household income. You don’t have to pay them back, and you can apply for them at the same time as you’re applying for Student Loans from the government - through the main student finance application.
New students, and most of those who started in or after 2006/2007, may qualify for the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant. If you qualify, you’ll get one or the other - but not both.
How much you can get
You could get up to £3,475 through the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, if your household income is £19,203 or less. If your household income falls between £19,203 and £41,065 you may be eligible to receive a partial grant, depending on the level of your household income. If your household income is more than £41,065 you will not be eligible to receive a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.
Which grant to apply for
The amount of help you can get through the Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant is the same. But if you get the Maintenance Grant, some of it is paid instead of the Student Loan for Maintenance. In other words, it will reduce the amount you can get through Student Loans.
The Special Support Grant replaces the Maintenance Grant for certain groups of students entering higher education on or after academic year 2006/2007. If you get the Special Support Grant, it won’t affect how much you can get through the Student Loan for Maintenance - and it won’t be counted as income when working out if you’re entitled to income-related benefits or tax credits. You are likely to qualify for the Special Support Grant if you are a:
- single parent
- other student parents if they have a partner who is also a student
- student with certain disabilities
There are other students who may be eligible for the Special Support Grant. You don’t necessarily have to receive benefits. Contact your local Student Finance NI office if you’re not sure which grant to apply for.
How to apply
You apply for both types of grant through the main student finance application. It’s best to apply before your course starts, but you can still apply up to nine months from the start of the academic year.
How the grants are paid
The Maintenance Grant and the Special Support Grant will be paid into your bank account by Student Finance NI at the start of each term at the same time as any Student Loan for Maintenance.
Maintenance Loan
Students entitled to a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant are also eligible to apply for a Maintenance Loan. If you receive a Maintenance Grant the amount of maintenance loan you receive will be reduced. For more information on maintenance loans, click on the following link:
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change, for example, such as changes to your household income, you must tell your local Student Finance Northern Ireland office.