Here is a brief list of available support including eligibility criteria.
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| EMA https://www.nidirect.gov.uk Northern Regional College Reception or Student Finance Office - Ballymena or Newtownabbey |
This award is means-tested on household income and students may receive payment of £30 per week. You could get EMA if: • You are aged between 16-19 years old on 1st July prior to the start of your course • You have not already received the maximum allowance for EMA • Your household income is £20,500 or less, if a younger sibling is in the household the threshold is £22,500 • You are doing at least 15 hours of guided learning at the College • You meet the residence and nationality rules set out for EMA • Other eligibility criteria apply to the scheme and this is detailed in the Application Pack which may be obtained from the College. EMA is for students on full-time FE courses only. Age Range: For students aged between 16 and 19 on or between 2nd July and 1st July. |
| Travel Pass Education Authority https://www.eani.org.uk |
Other criteria and age restrictions may apply and you should contact your local Education Authority for further information. Applications Forms must be completed online on the Education Authority website. Age Range: Students must be under 19 on 1st July prior to the start of course and on a full-time FE course. |
| Free School Meals Education Authority https://www.eani.org.uk |
Other criteria and age restrictions may apply and you should contact your local Education Authority for further information. Age Range: Students must be under 18 on 31st July and on a full-time Further Education course. |
|
Further Education Full-time Assistance |
This is a means-tested grant for full-time students. FE grants range in value depending on household income. Closing date for applications is usually the last Friday in October so please apply online as early as you can. Late applications will not be considered. Age Range: Students must be 19 or over on 1st July prior to start of course. |
| Further Education Part-time Assistance Education Authority https://www.eani.org.uk/fegrants |
This is a means-tested grant for part-time students. FE grants range in value depending on household income. Closing date for applications is usually the last Friday in October so please apply online as early as you can. Late applications will not be considered. Age Range: Students must be 19 or over on 1st July prior to start of course. |
| Care to Learn Scheme Northern Regional College Student Finance Office - studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk |
If you have care of a child then you may be able to get help with childcare and travel costs. This fund is administered through the College. The child carer must be a registered childminder, preschool group, day nursery, out of hour’s school club or other registered provider. Costs are subject to a weekly maximum. Age Range: For students aged between 16 and 20 at the start of the course. |
| Higher Education Assistance Full-time Grant/Loan https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk |
Students undertaking HNDs, degrees and foundation degrees etc may apply for help from Student Finance NI for assistance with a tuition fee loan, a maintenance loan and a maintenance grant. Student Finance NI will carry out the financial assessment and decide how much funding is available to you. Age Range: Students aged 18+. |
| Higher Education Part-time Grant/Loan https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk |
Part-time Higher Education students, who are studying at least 25% of an equivalent full-time course, can apply for financial help. The course must be a designated course. This is a means-tested grant for tuition fees and books and materials. Loans are not based on income and are repayable. For more information, check Student Finance NI. Age Range: Students aged 18+. |
| Childcare Assistance for Higher Education Students https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk |
Full-time students with children may qualify for extra financial help on top of the standard student finance package. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get: • the Childcare Grant (to help with childcare costs) • the Parents’ Learning Allowance (to help towards course costs) • help through the Access to Learning Fund (if you’re in financial difficulty) • Child Tax Credit/Universal Credit Age Range: Students aged 16+ and studying Higher Education courses |
| Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for Higher Education Students https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk |
DSA is designed to provide the help and assistance you may require for your studies as a direct result of a disability. This can include a long-term health condition, physical disability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. Age Range: There are no age restrictions for DSA however students must be completing a higher education course |
| King's Trust Development Awards 0800 842 842 outreachni@princes-trust.org.uk Search ‘King’s Trust Northern Ireland’ on Facebook |
You could potentially receive a grant to help with fees, equipment and tools. You must apply before you start your course. Age Range: For students aged between 16 and 30 at the start of the course. |
| Access to Learning Fund Northern Regional College Student Finance Office - Ballymena or Newtownabbey studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk |
The College Access to Learning Funds are available to assist students dealing with financial hardship. Assistance from the Access to Learning Fund is means tested and students must have explored other sources of funding before applying. Students should also be enrolled and attending before applying. Application forms can be requested by emailing studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. If you are currently in receipt of any benefits you should check with the benefits office before applying for financial assistance as this may affect your benefits. Age Range: Students must be 18 or over on 1st July prior to the start of the course and meet the residency regulations. |
If you are aged 18 or over and living in the wider Ballymena area (BT42/BT43 and parts of BT44), you may be eligible for the Gallaher Trust Scholarship. This scholarship covers up to two years of course fees for students accepted on the following full-time programmes:
To apply, complete the application form and submit it to Scholarships@nrc.ac.uk by 22 August. Selection criteria and full details are included in the form.
This scholarship, funded by JP McManus, provides £5,500 per year to high-achieving students from low-income households.
To be eligible, you must:
• Be one of the top six performing students on a Level 3 Extended
Diploma in Further Education
• Have received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) at the time
of your exams
• Be due to start university in the academic year 2026/27
Applications must be submitted by 4pm on Thursday 27 August 2026. Full details and the application form are available on the CCEA website.
You may be eligible for a College Bursary of up to £275 per year if:
• You are starting your first full-time higher education course
• Your household income is under £19,203
• You receive the full maintenance grant
• You have consented to share your information via your Student
Finance NI application
Care leavers will qualify for a maximum bursary as long as you receive the maximum government maintenance grant. Your household income will not be relevant as you will have been assessed independently by Student Finance NI.
Welcome to the Helpful Questions Section! Here you can explore the different types of funding available to support your studies, including scholarships, bursaries, grants, and loans. Whether you need help with course fees, equipment or other study-related costs, this section will guide you through the options and provide useful advice on how to apply.
EMA – applications packs will be available late April each year. You can collect a pack from any Campus Reception. You will need to complete the application form and send to EMA in Glasgow for processing.
Travel Pass – applications will open late August each year. You can apply online at www.eani.org.uk – search Further Education Transport on their website.
Free School Meals – applications will open in July each year. You can apply online at www.eani.org.uk – search Free School Meals on their website.
Care to Learn – contact studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk for details.
FE Grants (Full Time & Part Time) – applications will open late June. You can apply online at www.eani.org.uk/fegrants.
HE Loan/Grant (Full Time) – applications open early March each year. You should visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk, create an account and then make an application for Full Time Undergraduate Funding.
HE Loan/Grant (Part Time) – applications open mid May each year. You should visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk, create an account and then make an application for Part Time Undergraduate Funding.
Access to Learning Fund – contact studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk for details.
King’s Trust Development Award – contact King’s Trust directly on 0800 842 842 or outreach@kings-trust.org.uk.
If eligible, The SLC will inform you of payments details. Payment will be subject to the confirmed attendance.
EMA – you do not need to reapply for EMA, just complete a new Learning Agreement at the start of the new Academic Year – contact studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk for further details
FE Grants – you will be contacted directly by FE Grants at the Education Authority advising you to reapply for Year 2 of your course where applicable.
HE students, both Full Time and Part Time, will need to reapply through www.studentfinance.co.uk for funding for each year of their course.
Are you aged 19 or over and unsure how you will support yourself while studying? You may be eligible for Further Education Grants for full-time or part-time Level 1, 2 or 3 courses.
To find out more, visit the Further Education Grants | Education Authority Northern Ireland
The financial assistance available to you depends on factors like:
• Your age
• The level of study
• Your household income or personal circumstances
• Previous study
 |
Note Many funding options have closing dates. Applying late could mean missing out on financial support. |
If you are unsure what support you are entitled to, please contact the Student Finance Team they are here to help!
To check whether your previous study impacts your eligibility for funding contact:
Further Education Finance Queries
Education Authority
1 Hospital Road, Omagh
028 9047 0155 – Option 2
www.eani.org.uk
Higher Education Finance Queries
Student Finance NI
0300 100 0077 (Helpline)
028 9047 0155 (Local Offices)
Choose Option 1 for Full-time Higher Education queries
Choose Option 3 for Part-time Higher Education queries
Choose Option 4 for DSA (Disability Sutdents Allowance)
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk