AQW 2968/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 07/09/2022
Answered On Date: 25/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) why the total funding available via maintenance loans and means-tested non-repayable maintenance grants to Northern Irish students studying in Great Britain is much lower than that for a student from a similar economic background studying at the same university but domiciled in Great Britain; and (ii) what plans he has to review this.

Answer:

I have confirmed a 40% increase in the maximum student maintenance loan available to full-time undergraduate students, providing in the region of £55million in additional support to approximately 40,500 NI-domiciled students studying in the UK and Republic of Ireland from academic year 2023/24.

In addition, my Department will undertake a full review of the higher education funding system, including the support provided to students such as maintenance loans, grants and other student support products, and the support provided to the sector, such as the level and mix of teaching grant and fees.