Full-Time Fees & Finance
| UK Resident Students | |||||
Level |
Tuition Fees |
Student Loan |
Bursary/Grant |
EMA |
|
Higher National Diploma Foundation Degree NVQ level 4 |
Not eligible for EMA |
||||
Further Education Level 2 Diploma Level 3 Diploma NVQ 1-3 |
No Fees |
Not Eligible for Loan |
|
EMA is available to students under 19. Complete an EMA application form  |
|
Higher Education Funding
Students studying full time higher education courses such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, NVQ 4, Degrees may apply for funding through studentfinanceni. Please see information below detailing the different types of grant/loans available:
Maintenance Grant
Students could get up to £3,475 of a non-repayable maintenance grant, which is means tested, therefore the amount you get depends on your household income. See below table as a guide to your entitlement;
Household Income |
Grant amount |
£19,203 or less |
£3,475 |
Between £19,204 and £41,065 |
Partial grant |
Over £41,065 |
No grant |
Maintenance Loan
Students may also apply for a maintenance loan, which could help with your living costs such as accommodation, food, clothes, travel and so on. You could get up to £4,840 per year, but if you are in receipt of the maintenance grant, the amount of loan you can get will be reduced.
Maintenance loans are repayable once you leave education and are earning a salary over £15,795.
Tuition Fee Loan
Students can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,000 to cover the cost of tuition fees. You can only receive a tuition fee loan up to the actual cost of your course. E.g. If a HND costs £1,380 per year, you may only apply for a loan up to £1,380. The loan is paid directly to the college on your behalf.
Maintenance loans are repayable once you leave education and are earning a salary over £15,795.
Childcare
A childcare grant of 85% of your actual childcare costs (up to £148.75 per week for one child or £255 for 2 or more children) is available to students with children in ‘prescribed’ childcare. The amount you may get depends on your household income. You cannot get this if you are receiving the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.
Forms and Deadlines
You should complete a PN1 form as early as possible in order to get your funding on time. The PN1 form will assess you for the maintenance grant, maintenance loan and the tuition fee loan.
For childcare you need to complete a CCG1 form and return to studentfinanceni.
Additional Links
Further Education Funding
Students studying full time further education courses such as Level 2 & 3 Diplomas, NVQs, may apply for funding through studentfinanceni. Please see information below detailing the different types of funding available:
Further Education Award/ Maintenance Grant
Maintenance Grants (non-repayable) of up to £2,092 are available to students aged 19 and over on the 1st July, which are aimed to provide financial support towards living costs. They are assessed on household income. See below table as a guide to your entitlement:(£)
Household Income |
Amount of grant |
Amount of grant |
Up to £21,330 |
£1,674 |
£2,092 |
£21,331 - £26,160 |
£1,490 |
£1,863 |
£26,161 -£31,580 |
£1,306 |
£1,306 |
£31,581 – £38,805 |
£1,122 |
£1,402 |
£38,806 and over |
No Funding |
No Funding |
Student Finance NI will pay the maintenance grant in three instalments, one at the start of each term, subject to at least 80% attendance on the course each term, subject to an attendance check at the beginning of each course term.
Forms and Deadlines
Click here to apply for the Further Education Award
The closing date for the FE Award is 31st August, although it is advisable to send your completed application form to the Western Education & Library Board before the 30th June, in order to be guaranteed the grant, if eligible.
Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
EMA payments of up to £30 per week is available to students aged 16-19 who are studying further education courses. There are also bonus payments of £100 if you remain on your course and make satisfactory progress with your learning. The amount you get depends on your household income, See table below as a guide to your entitlement:
Household Income |
Award |
up to £22,930 |
£30 |
£22,931 - £28,125 |
£20 |
£28,126 - £33,950 |
£10 |
£33,951 or above |
No Award |
Forms and Deadlines
Forms are now available for new EMA students, at Student Services. Continuing EMA students will automatically have their details rolled over. Students in receipt of EMA at school and who are coming to the NWRC should contact EMA directly to tell them about the change of institution. Telephone: 0845 601 7646
Additional Links – For additional information on EMA please click here
Childcare for Full Time Further Education students
You can claim a childcare grant if you are using registered or approved childcare. Your childcare provider must be registered or approved by the Health and Social Care Trust.
You will not be eligible for the Childcare Grant if the childcare is provided by a registered or approved childcare provider who is: Your partner; A relative of the child and providing care in the child’s own home; A relative of the child providing care away from the child’s own home and is only caring for children he or she is related to.
A relative of the child means a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother or sister related by blood or marriage, or living arrangements.
How much you get depends on your income and that of your dependants (including your husband, wife or partner). The table below will give you an idea of the support available:
Household Income (£) |
1 child |
2 or more children |
Up to 21,330 |
£130 |
£220 |
21,331 - 26,160 |
£110 |
£188 |
26,161 -31,580 |
£78 |
£133 |
31,581 – 38,805 |
£40 |
£70 |
38,806 and over |
No funding |
No funding |
Forms and Deadlines
You should complete CG1 form, also available from Student Services. There are no set deadlines for childcare applications, but it is advisable to get it in early to ensure prompt payments to childcare provider.
Hardship Funds
The Hardship Fund is intended to provide support to learners who are experiencing exceptional financial difficulty with meeting costs associated with learning such as fees; accommodation; books; materials; travel etc
Basic eligibility
Students must be:
- Enrolled on a course that is more than 4hrs a week
- Have been resident in NI for 3 years before the start of the course
- Have exhausted all other relevant funding options
- Demonstrate financial hardship
Payments
Payments are made each month and are paid directly into the Students bank account. Typically students do not have to repay this, but may be asked to repay if they abandon their course. The amount payable is primarily based on household income.
| EU Resident Students (Inc. Republic of Ireland) | ||||
Level |
Tuition Fees |
Student Loan |
Bursary/Grant |
EMA |
| Higher National Diploma Foundation Degree NVQ level 4 | Tuition fees are £1380 per year. Complete an EU12N form for tuition fee loan and return to EU Customer Services Team in Darlington |
Not Eligible for Loan | A means tested grant is available from the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Unemployed students should contact Social Welfare for information on Back to Education Allowance |
Not eligible for EMA |
| Level 2 Diploma Level 3 Diploma NVQ 1-3 |
No Fees | Not eligible for EMA | No grant available. Students in receipt of benefits should contact Social Welfare for information on Back to Education Allowance |
Not eligible for EMA |
Funding for EU Residents (includes ROI students)
Students studying full time higher education courses such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, NVQ 4, Degree’s may apply for tuition fee loan/grant through EU Customer Services Team in Darlington and through the SUSI. Please see information below detailing the different types of grant/loans available:
Maintenance Grant
A maintenance grant is available for Republic of Ireland (ROI) students who are studying higher education courses. New students should apply through SUSI via www.studentfinance.ie, and continuing students should apply through their local VEC. The amount you get depends on your household income, as well as other factors.
Click here to find out more information regarding the maintenance grant.
Unfortunately there is no maintenance grant for ROI students who are studying further education courses, but students may be able to apply for Back to Education Allowance, details below.
Back to Education Allowance
Students studying both further education and higher education courses may be eligible to apply for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), which allows people in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments to retain those payments whilst participating in approved full-time courses in further and higher education.
The BTEA allows qualifying persons to return to full-time education in approved courses while continuing to get income support.
Click here to find out more information regarding BTEA, and your entitlement.
Tuition Fee Loan
EU students studying full time higher education courses such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, NVQ 4, Degrees may apply for a tuition fee loan through EU Customer Services Team in Darlington. You can receive up to £9000 to cover the cost of your tuition fees only.
You should complete an EU12 form, downloadable by clicking here.
Below you will find information on the Fees for our courses,
Fees
You don't have fees to pay if you are on a full time Further Education (FE) course:
- First Diploma
- National Diploma
- NVQ Levels 1, 2 & 3
- City & Guilds Level 3
- Foundation Art & design
You may be entitled to a grant or EMA if you are studying any of the above courses, please visit our section above on Further Education Finance & Grants.
You do have to pay fees if you are on any of the Higher Education courses
- OCR Administration (Business Professional) Level 4 Diploma £1,100**
- NVQ L4 Journalism £1,100**
- HND Fee: £1,345**
- Foundation Degree Fee: £1,345**
**subject to confirmation
You may be eligible to apply for grants and/or student loans for the above Higher Education courses, Please see above for additional information on Higher Education Finance & Grants.
Payment of Fees
Fee’s should be paid in full on enrolment. However, there is a facility to pay by direct debit. A minimum deposit of £250 will be payable on enrolment and a direct debit set-up to pay the remaining balance over a maximum of 4 monthly instalments payable on the 15th of each month.
Students awaiting information on Higher Education grants or tuition fee loans will be expected to pay a deposit of £250 before the end of June, in order to secure a place on the course. This deposit is refundable once you provide the college Finance Department with your Financial Assessment Award form from SFNI/ SF Darlington.
Students entering into 2nd year of their full time HE course will be required to pay a deposit of £250 before the of end of July if Financial Assessment isn’t through. Students who don’t pay deposit or provide financial assessment will not be permitted to progress into 2nd year.
Non-Payment of Fees
Failure to pay fees will result in one or more of the following:
- The student will be withdrawn from the course
- The student will not be able to sit any exams for which he/she has enrolled in the College
- The College will not mark coursework assessments
- The student will be unable to avail of the College's facilities or computer network
- The student will not be able to progress to the 2nd year of the course, or enrol in an alternative course within the College
- The College will seek to recover all outstanding monies
- Students may not be included on the College's pass lists until outstanding accounts have been settled.
Contact the following staff for course related financial information
Mrs Louise Logue
louise.logue@nwrc.ac.uk
(028)71 276384
Ms Fiona McManus
fiona.mcmanus@nwrc.ac.uk
(028)71 276388
| Funding Provider | Type of Funding | Max Funding Available | Funding Area | Summary |
| NI Memorial Fund | Grant | Up to £1,200 | UK | Open to students undertaking any educational course or training that could help to improve career opportunities or personal development. Expenses such as fees and books may be covered. Open to those who have lost a close relative due to the troubles. Download application forms from www.nimf.org.uk or contact the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, Tel: 028 9024 5965 / 5949, Email: nimfgao@belfast.org.uk |
| Princes Trust | Grant | £50 - £300 | UK | Funding towards fees; childcare; equipment; materials; tools; travel costs, for individuals who have left school with less than 5 GCSE's grades A-C ex-prisoners; exoffenders or unemployed. Click here for additional information then visit their website. |
| Army FE Bursary | Grant | £1000 | UK | Bursary pays students £1000 per year whilst studying at FE colleges, and also offers a full time job with the army once your complete your basic training. For more information you should call 0845 600 8080 |
| Gingerbread NI | Grant | £300 per year for course fees | UK | Funding to help towards the costs of course fees; childcare costs; travel costs; for lone parents. Click here for further information and application forms. |
| St Vincent de Paul | Grant | Not Specified | UK | Funding available to students to help towards materials, childcare, transport & registration fees for applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Click here for more information. |
| Helena Kennedy Foundation | Grant | One off bursaries of £1,500 | UK | Awards are made primarily to disadvantaged students who have overcome significant barriers in order to continue with their education at university level. Applicants will be nominated by the college. Application forms are available to download from the website at www.hkf.org.uk or Tel: 01908 321155 / 232641. |
| Horizons Your Education | Grant | Grant between £500 and £1,500 | UK | Developed by Barclaycard Horizons in partnership with Family Action to help lone parents with the cost of education and training in order to improve job prospects. Application forms can be obtained via the Horizons Education website at www.yourhorizons.com, Family Action's website at www.family-action.org.uk |
| The Royal Ulster Constabulary Benevolent Fund | Grant | Grants between £500 and £10,000 | UK | This is for members and ex-members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and their dependents. Support is available to schoolchildren, college students and undergraduates towards fees, travel, books and equipment. Applications in writing must be submitted via a regional representative. Contact: Royal Ulster Constabulary Benevolent Fund, Police Federation Northern Ireland (PFNI), T: 028 9076 4215. |
| JP McManus | Grant | Up to £22,000 | UK | Scholarships awarded to the top 25 performing students in NI who are progressing onto University level courses. Students should have been previously in receipt of EMA. Click here to download Application forms. http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/bursaries-scholarships-and-awards.htm |
| TRIAX | Grant | Up to £500 | UK | 14 bursaries of £500 paid out to students living in the Bogside/Brandywell/Creggan/Fountain areas of the city, to assist with costs associated with full time and part time courses. For further information contact TRIAX direct on Email: info@triaxtaskforce.org or Tel: 028 7136 7007 |
| Coiste Na nlarchimi Education Bursary | Grant | Overall £50,000 available each year to be split against all applicants | UK | Bursary scheme to help republican ex-prisoners, displaced persons and their immediate family fund their studies. The scheme is financed by the EU Peace 3 programme and the education and training grants are being offered through Coiste Na nIarchimi. Contact your nearest group within the Coiste network. Details can be found at www.coiste.ie or T: 028 9020 0770 |
| International Student Award (British Council) | Award | £2000 | Int. student | Available to international students studying in the UK. Students are required to write a story about their experiences studying in the UK. The lucky winner will receive £2,000. Runner up prizes also available. Click here for further information. |
| ROI Back to Education | Allowance | Dependent on other benefits received | ROI | Allowance payable from the ROI Social Security Agency for unemployed students for the duration of their course. Click here for further information. |
| ROI state maintenance grant | Grant | € 3,809 | ROI | Means-tested funding from the ROI VEC for students seeking to enrol on a full-time HE/FE course. Go to www.studentfinance.ie for further information |
| ROI fund for students with disabilities | Grant | Not Specified | ROI | Funding from the HEA to help towards course related equipment, travel or subsistence for those students who have a verifiable disability. Go to http://www.hea.ie/ for further information |
Although most full time students are not entitled to social security benefits certain students in vulnerable groups, including single parents and disabled students, may be eligible for social security benefits including Housing Benefits.
If you want to take a full time course of education, you should ask your local benefits office how this may affect your benefits.
Part-Time Students in receipt of Benefits can receive help with childcare, travel and Books through Support Funds without affecting Benefits*
*This has been confirmed by Social Security Agency. (Jobs and benefits Section)
For additional information also see Student & Benefits 2009/2010
Derry/Londonderry
Michelle Breslin
Student Finance
02871276033
michelle.breslin@nwrc.ac.uk
Emmett Rice
Student Finance
02871276010
emmet.rice@nwrc.ac.uk
Susan Donaghey-Bell
EMA Administrator
02871276074
susan.donaghey-bell@nwrc.ac.uk
Limavady
Esther Mawhinney
Student Finance
02871278770
esther.mawhinney@nwrc.ac.uk
Sharon McDaid
EMA Administrator
02871278780
sharon.mcdaid@nwrc.ac.uk
Western ELB
1 Hospital Road
Omagh,
BT79 0AW
Tel: 028 8241 1411
North Eastern ELB
County Hall
182 Galgorm Road
Ballymena,
BT42 1HN
Tel: 028 2565 3333
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