AQW 15542/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 01/03/2021
Answered On Date: 03/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 14251/17-22, (i) whether it would be possible for the £500 COVID-19 Disruption Payment for students to be distributed via Student Finance NI; and (ii) to detail the comparable payment schemes that exist for Northern Irish students studying in universities in England, Wales and Scotland.

Answer:

Student Finance NI is the collective, public-facing name for the student finance system operated by my Department, the Education Authority, and the Student Loans Company (SLC). Of these three organisations, only the SLC is able to issue payments to students. As I advised in my answer to AQW 14251/17-22, the Department does not have the legal power to make payments through public bodies outside of Northern Ireland, including through the SLC.

Information regarding the most recently announced funding for student hardship in England, Scotland and Wales can be found at the following links:

England: Further additional funding of £50 million for student hardship for financial year 2020-21 - Office for Students

Scotland: Extra hardship payments for students - Coronavirus (studentinformation.gov.scot)

Wales: https://gov.wales/40-million-extra-support-students-facing-financial-hardship