Menu
10/09/2014
DEL Student Hardship Funding Increases To £8m
Over the last five years the overall funding made available to students facing economic hardship has increased by £0.8m to £8m, according to the Department for Employment and learning.
The Department made the comments following a BBC revelation that about £1.3m is to be cut from the student hardship fund over five years.
The two main sources of support provided by the Department are Further Education (FE) Awards and college Hardship Funds, both of which are means tested and demand led.
In 2010/11, the FE Awards closing date changed from 30 June to 31 August for full-time courses and 30 September for part-time courses. DEL says this has encouraged more applications for FE Awards and reduced the number of students seeking assistance from the Hardship Funds.
Over the years 2009/10 to 2014/15, the money made available to the Hardship Funds has reduced by £1.3m, the Department said. During the same period, due to an increase in demand, the amount of money available, per annum, through the FE Awards has increased by £2.1m from £3.8m to £5.9m.
"No applications have been rejected due to lack of funds," a statement said. "The six regional colleges promote and will continue to proactively promote all sources of finance to students. Other sources of student support also available include the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and childcare support through Care to Learn. Child care support is also available through FE Awards and Hardship Funds."
(IT/MH)
The Department made the comments following a BBC revelation that about £1.3m is to be cut from the student hardship fund over five years.
The two main sources of support provided by the Department are Further Education (FE) Awards and college Hardship Funds, both of which are means tested and demand led.
In 2010/11, the FE Awards closing date changed from 30 June to 31 August for full-time courses and 30 September for part-time courses. DEL says this has encouraged more applications for FE Awards and reduced the number of students seeking assistance from the Hardship Funds.
Over the years 2009/10 to 2014/15, the money made available to the Hardship Funds has reduced by £1.3m, the Department said. During the same period, due to an increase in demand, the amount of money available, per annum, through the FE Awards has increased by £2.1m from £3.8m to £5.9m.
"No applications have been rejected due to lack of funds," a statement said. "The six regional colleges promote and will continue to proactively promote all sources of finance to students. Other sources of student support also available include the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and childcare support through Care to Learn. Child care support is also available through FE Awards and Hardship Funds."
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 October 2022
Student Maintenance Loans To Be Increased By 40%
Student maintenance loans are to be increased by 40% for the academic year 2023/24, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, providing students with an estimated additional £55million to assist with living costs.
Student Maintenance Loans To Be Increased By 40%
Student maintenance loans are to be increased by 40% for the academic year 2023/24, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced, providing students with an estimated additional £55million to assist with living costs.
05 February 2024
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
25 September 2023
Alliance Commits To New Funding Proposals For Grassroots Sport
The Alliance Party has committed to bringing forward new funding proposals to support grassroots sports in Northern Ireland.
Alliance Commits To New Funding Proposals For Grassroots Sport
The Alliance Party has committed to bringing forward new funding proposals to support grassroots sports in Northern Ireland.
29 June 2023
PHA Launch Funding Scheme For Mental Health Projects
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on community and voluntary groups to apply to a new funding programme for projects designed to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. The PHA scheme opens to applications today and aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities.
PHA Launch Funding Scheme For Mental Health Projects
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on community and voluntary groups to apply to a new funding programme for projects designed to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. The PHA scheme opens to applications today and aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities.
18 February 2022
£1.5m Investment In Employment And Education Projects
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that her Department will provide match funding for 2022/23 to European Social Fund (ESF) for employment and education projects. The ESF projects aim to help and support people most removed from the labour market to overcome major barriers to social inclusion and entering employment.
£1.5m Investment In Employment And Education Projects
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that her Department will provide match funding for 2022/23 to European Social Fund (ESF) for employment and education projects. The ESF projects aim to help and support people most removed from the labour market to overcome major barriers to social inclusion and entering employment.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
