If you are under 18 years of age, you do not have to pay tuition or examination fees. You may also be entitled to a travel pass if you meet Education and Library Board criteria. You may be entitled to free school meals and other allowances, so it is important to contact your local Education and Library Board as soon as possible. (see Useful Contacts)

You may also be eligible for reimbursement for books – contact site administration.

Full-time Student (Under 19 on 1 July prior to the start of your course in September)
If you are 18 years of age, but have not turned 19 on 1st July and are attending a full-time non-vocational course such as GCSE/ ‘A’ Level, you will have to pay examination fees. You may be entitled to a travel pass but you should check with your local Education and Library Board. (see Useful Contacts)

Further Education Awards (Full-time Students)
Closing date for applications is 30th June 2010.
Further Education Awards for those 19 years of age or over on 1st July prior to the start of your course in September are available for the academic year 2010-2011

Student finance NI will pay the approved tuition fee charged by an institution subject to the following maxima:

Further Education Award £930

Further Education Bursaries range in value from £2,092 down to £1402 depending on parental income. Consult with Student Finance NI regarding full criteria. For further information please contact the WELB FE Award section (see Useful Contacts)

NB. The closing date for application is 30th June, so it is advisable to apply as soon as possible

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
The Educational Maintenance Allowance was introduced in September 2004 to encourage young people to remain in full-time education past the statutory school leaving age of 16. The scheme is means-tested, and eligible students receive payments in the range of £30, £20 or £10 per week.

You could get an EMA if:

• you are aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 years on or between 2nd July 2009 and 1st July 2010
• your household income is £33,061 or less
• you are doing at least 15 hours of guided learning at an FE college or studying full time at school in Northern Ireland

Young people may be entitled to receive their EMA for a maximum of 3 years (as long as their household income does not rise above the £33,061 per annum threshold).

Other eligibility criteria apply to the scheme and this is detailed in the Application Pack which may be obtained from schools and colleges. Please visit the Employment and Learning Website.

NB: Students can only claim EMA if they are studying a Further Education Course and not a Higher Education Course.

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