If you live with your parents, a spouse or a partner, they may be asked to contribute towards supporting you as a student. Your local Student Finance NI office will ask you to give details of income for your household from the previous financial year.
Certain allowances and deductions are then made - for example, for dependent children. Student Finance NI offices will always count your own income. This will include non-earned income, such as interest from savings, but not casual or part-time earnings during your course.
They may also count income from your parents or partner, depending on whether you are classed as a 'dependent' or 'independent' student. If your parents are divorced or separated, the Student Finance NI office will assess the income of just one your parents, rather than both, whichever one seems suitable to them in the circumstances. They will ignore income from your other parent, but will take into account the income of any spouse, civil partner or live-in partner of the parent they decide to assess including a partner of the same sex.
The lists below aren't exhaustive, but they provide a general guide to when you'll be classed as an independent student. Generally speaking, you'll also be classed as independent if either of the following applies to you before the first day of the first academic year for which you're applying for support:.
If you are an independent student, your local authority will only take into account your income and that of your partner. This can mean your spouse or civil partner. The level of financial help you can get will depend on whether you:.
The table below show an overview of the maintenance loan and maintenance grant levels available to full-time undergraduate students, depending on household income. Check when you can apply Check what ID you'll need Check if you need to give proof of your household income. Step 4 : Apply. Apply online You'll need to create a student finance account if you're a new student or sign into an existing account if you're a returning student.
Step 5 : Update your details if your circumstances change. For example if you: change your course through clearing change where you're going to live - for example with your parents instead of halls Find out how to update your application.
Step 6 : Make sure you can be paid. Use your student finance account to: update your bank details - for example if you open a student account check how much you'll be paid check when you'll be paid Sign in to your student finance account.
Step 7 : Check what to do while you're studying. Check how to update your details Find out what to do if you suspend or leave your course. Step 8 : Check what to do when you stop studying.
Sign in to your student loan repayment account Update your employment details. Step 9 : Repay your loan. Is this page useful? If you're studying at a university or college in the Republic of Ireland you will have to pay a student contribution charge. To cover this charge you can apply for a Student Contribution Loan which is paid in Euros to your university or college as part of the above process, instead of a Tuition Fee Loan. When you've reviewed and are happy with your application and accepted the terms and conditions, you can send your application, at which point you can't make any more changes to it.
If you apply on paper, send your application form and any suitable evidence, to your Education Authority regional office. If you hold a valid UK Passport and are applying online, you can enter your passport details on the online application.
If you are applying on a paper application form, you can enter the details on the form. You do not need to send your UK passport as proof of date of birth. If you are a non-UK passport holder you will need to send your passport. Remember to put your customer reference number on everything you send in. The table above is only a guide. The exact evidence needed will be highlighted on the relevant forms and guidance notes.
When you first apply for student finance, you will need to use the 'PN1 - Application for student finance form' see above. Students who already receive student finance for the current academic year will be contacted automatically with details about how to apply for the coming year. You don't need to send evidence in the upcoming years, unless there has been a change to your circumstances, such as changes to your household income or your marital status.
Your application and supporting evidence will be reviewed by an assessor at your student finance regional office. After your regional office reach a decision about your entitlement to student finance, Student Finance NI will send you a Student Finance Entitlement letter to confirm what will be paid to you and when. You should receive this letter between six and eight weeks after you sent your application.
This may be longer if you're regional office needs additional information or evidence. When you register on your course at the start of your first term, you must take your Student Finance Entitlement letter and your Payment Schedule Letter with you. Your college or university will then confirm your attendance with Student Finance NI. When Student Finance NI receives confirmation of your attendance, and your National Insurance number is verified by the Department for Work and Pensions, payment will be released automatically.
Your will receive your first payment on:. Alternative sources of student finance Alternate options for finance can be broken down into three main categories: a student account with overdraft, a student credit card and a private student loan. Here is what you need to consider when taking out a private student loan for the first time: Building credit: Students often have a very limited credit history. Borrowing money and being able to make affordable monthly repayments can help build a strong credit score that will benefit you further down the line when taking out other forms of credit credit cards or a mortgage for example.
To see your own credit history or learn more about credit scores, we recommend checking out providers in this area such as ClearScore , Experian and Money Supermarket. Check for hidden fees: It is so important to always look at the small print. Make sure you understand interest rates and APR when borrowing.
You need to know the terms of your loan agreement and keep an eye out for any hidden fees, such as penalties on repaying loans early and missed payments. Customer service and support: Leverage any service team or online support at companies to answer any questions you have before taking out their financial products.
Did they help address your questions? Were they easy to get hold of and forthcoming with answers? Are you able to call, email and get in touch with them easily whenever you may need to? Terms and timeframe to pay the money back: Consider whether you can take a break from repayments note that interest can still accrue during break periods or extend your loan term should you need to.
Also make sure that you understand the implications of not meeting your repayments. Affordable monthly payments: Are you able to cover the monthly payments or repayments required on the amount you borrowed both in study and after you graduate. Will you have to rely on other sources of credit to cover these expenses? TrustPilot is a great source of customer feedback. See what customers say about the service and support they received.
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