Students urged to avoid loan delays

Students may be hoping to go to Queens' University in Belfast

Up to a third of Northern Ireland students who intend starting higher education this September have not yet submitted applications for financial assistance.

The revelation has come from the minister for higher and further education, training and employment in the province Dr Sean Farren.

Last year some loan cheques were delayed because of what a department spokesman said were problems at the Scottish-based Student Loan Company.

Other problems arose from staff shortages and lack of experience in a new system among workers in local education and library boards, he added.

Dr Farren said that those who had not already applied for loans - about 5,000 - should do so immediately if they want to get their money in time for the coming academic year.

He said: "In the past some students have tended to leave applying for financial support to the last minute.

"The simple fact is that if they do that, then they might not have money waiting for them when their term starts.

"It is vitally important for all students, whether they are returning to, or beginning, higher education courses in the coming academic year, to make sure that they submit their applications for financial assistance immediately to their local education and library board."

Dr Farren said steps had been taken to avoid the problems which arose last year, including extra staff and upgraded software in the education and library boards.

He also said his department was publishing a leaflet designed to guide students through the process for obtaining loans.

The leaflet aims to encourage students to look carefully at their finances and work out how much they might need to borrow.

Dr Sean Farren: Urged students to apply for loans

Dr Farren stressed that there was no need for students to wait until examination results were known before applying for financial support.

He said: "Any student who wants financial support for the coming year should get their application in and get further up the queue."

The leaflet being published by the department will be available from Jobcentres, schools and directly from the department.

Repay the loans

The system of delivering student loans involves three partners - the education and library boards, the Student Loans Company (SLC) and the student.

In the first instance, students who want a loan apply to their local education and library board, which determines a student's eligibility, assesses the maximum amount that can be borrowed and notifies both the student and the SLC.

The student must then decide how much of his/her loan entitlement he/she wishes to borrow and then notify the SLC of that amount.

Students are not expected to repay the loans until they have graduated and earn at least £10,000 per year.