1. Studying in the Republic of Ireland (with notes)
Student Finance is available so that students can make the most of their time at university or college without having to worry about money.
However, in order to receive any Student Finance all students must be able to meet a number of eligibility criteria or conditions.

2. Introduction
Applies only to students assessed through Student Finance NI
Registration Fees
Maintenance Loans
Higher Education Bursary
Additional support
In this short presentation we are going to look at what financial support is available for students from Northern Ireland who decide to study in the Republic of Ireland. The financial support package is different from the support package for students studying in the UK. Grants and loans are available to NI students studying in the ROI including grants for Registration Fees and living costs as well as a loan for living costs.

3. Registration Fees No tuition fees Registration fees €2,250 in 2012-13
Apply through SFNI
Not means tested
Not repayable
Student from Northern Ireland who study in the Republic of Ireland are not required to pay tuition fees. Under the present arrangements they pay a Registration Fee each year which is paid by the student’s local SFNI office to the University on the students behalf. Students must apply for financial support in the usual way.
The Registration fee is non means tested and is not repayable except when a student transfers or repeats a year of study.

4. Up to £4,840 if living away from home Up to £3,750 if living at home
Maintenance Loan
Up to £4,840 if living away from home
Up to £3,750 if living at home
Of which £1,600 is means tested
Remainder is not means tested
Apply through Student Finance NI
Loans are repayable
The Maintenance Loan is available to all eligible students. There are two elements to the Maintenance Loan. Most of the loan is non means tested but part is means tested based on the students household income. So every eligible student can make an application if they want a loan. Students from lower and middle income families can ask to have their financial support means tested and this could make more loan available. Maintenance Loan amounts are reduced in the final year of the course.
The means tested part of the Maintenance Loan is based on household income and requires sponsors to declare their income when the student makes an application to Student Finance NI.
The Maintenance Loan for living costs has to be repaid.

5. Higher Education Bursary
Up to £2,000
Household income of less than £23,606
Paid in three instalments
Means tested
Not repayable
Student from Northern Ireland who study in the Republic of Ireland can apply for a Higher Education Bursary for students from lower income households.
The HE Bursary entitlement is based on household income and students who have asked for means tested loan will automatically be assessed for the Bursary.
Students assessed as eligible for HE Bursary will have their Maintenance Loan reduced but will have the same amount available to them.

6. Other Support Available
Help for students with children
Help for students who have a disability
Assessed through Student Finance NI
Specific queries should be directed to the student’s local Student Finance Office
There is additional financial support available for students who have children and for students who have a disability. You can find more information about additional financial support in our other presentations and on our website.
Use the ELB finder on our website to get the telephone number and address of the local student finance offices.