Important information for parents of Year 14 students who have applied to university/higher level education commencing in September – Applications are now open for student finance.  You will need to apply for tuition fees and student loans.

Student Finance for the 2024/25 Academic Year

The Student Loans Company portal for 2024/25 online applications is now open. Pupils can access it via www.studentfinanceni.co.uk This website contains information for students and parents as well as forms and guides which can be downloaded as required.

Pupils who receive EMA already have an account with the Student Loans Company and must apply for Student Finance using their EMA Customer Reference Number (11-digit number). They should not create a new account.

All pupils should apply using either the name on their EMA account or the exact name on their passport or birth certificate.

Household income details should be completed online by parents as soon as the student’s online application is submitted. Verification to confirm any income should be sent to their local Student Finance office at the same time.

If pupils apply online but do not submit identity verification and household income details, their applications are regarded as incomplete and will not be fully processed.

There is additional support available to students with disabilities (Disabled Students’ Allowances). Pupils who wish to apply for additional support should complete the online question relating to the Disabled Students’ Allowance which will direct them to the relevant form for completion and return.

It is important that students applying early so that any assistance required from the Disabled Students’ Allowances can be put in place for the start of the academic year. Waiting to apply for DSA support until after exam results in August will mean that necessary support is unlikely to be in place at the start of their course.

Students who wish to apply for part-time HE support will be unable to make application until late May.

A series of short videos for pupils to view are available on the EA Student Finance home page https://www.eani.org.uk/help-available/student-finance/student-finance-videos

If you have any enquiries about any aspect of Student Finance please contact with your local Student Finance NI office. Details can be found here https://www.eani.org.uk/help-available/student-finance