Students aged 18 and under on 31st July on the year of entry and whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits can apply for help with school meals. This includes those with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (Stage 3) and who require a special diet and who do not qualify for Free School Meals under the standard financial eligibility criteria. They will be directed to the relevant online application for Free School Meals under the Special Diet criterion.

1. Are you eligible?

Parents must be:

• in receipt of a qualifying benefit; OR
  
• be an Asylum Seeker supported by the Home Office Asylum Support Assessment Team (ASAT).

Qualifying Benefits

• Income Support;
  
• Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
  
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance;
  
• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit;
  
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable household income of £16,190 or less;
  
• Universal Credit and have net household earnings not exceeding £15,000 per year.

2. What documentation do you need?

Parents are asked to upload proof that they are receiving a qualifying benefit:

• Tax Credits Award Notice
• Universal Credit Payments breakdown
• Proof of Benefit letter (if you are in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or the Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit).

Applicants in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit must upload a Proof of Benefit Letter, which can be obtained through GOV.UK

Parents in receipt of Tax Credits or Universal Credit do not need a Proof of Benefit letter but must upload relevant evidence of their Tax Credits/Universal Credit.

3. What else do you need?

• National Insurance Number
• Children’s names
• Dates of Birth
• College they will be attending
• Address
• E-mail and telephone number
• Bank or building society account and sort code details.

4. Where do you apply?

Apply for Free School Meals for the new academic year beginning September, through the Education Authority’s online portal, EA Connect. If you haven’t already registered an EA Connect account, it’s quick and easy to do. Information can be found on the EA website.

5. What happens next?

Your application will be processed within 5 weeks. Please do not contact EA for an update on your application within the 5 weeks of submitting your application. If you have provided incorrect or insufficient supporting documentation, you will receive a tailored email advising you to resubmit your application with details of the correct documentation you need to provide.

You will receive an email from EA once your application has been approved and processed.

If you require help…

A Free Schools Meals Helpdesk is operated by staff across the EA Free School Meals/Uniform Allowance service. It is available to assist parents and carers who may have any queries. The Helpdesk operates Monday – Friday from 9am to 4pm

T: 028 9041 8044

E: mealsanduniform@eani.org.uk

W: www.eani.org.uk/financial-help/freeschool-meals-uniform-grants

Travel assistance will be provided to home students attending a Further Education Course, who meet the following criteria:

• The course followed is a full-time course.
• The distance from home to the College in which you are enrolled exceeds 3 miles.
• The course attended is at the closest Further Education College to the home address.
• Transport assistance is not available for the incoming school session if the students 19^th birthday is attained on or before 1^st July.
• The student or course is not eligible for student loan assessment.

Online transport applications are available on EA Connect: EA Connect – Login

Students aged 16-19 years may be entitled to EMA. Visit www.emani.gov.uk or phone 0845 601 7646 for further guidance.

EMA is means-tested and dependent on attendance at the College.

Home students* over 19 on 1^st July at year of entry can apply for a Bursary Allowance. This is a new means-tested allowance aimed at low-income families to help with living costs. Bursaries given are up to £2,092 per annum for those living away from home, and £1,674 per annum for those living at home.

Students with dependents may be entitled to a Childcare Allowance if the child is being looked after by a registered childminder.

Students with disabilities who are eligible for a ‘Further Education Award’ may be entitled to a non-means tested ‘Disabled Student’s Allowance’ (DSA). Grants are available to help pay for equipment and non-medical helpers. Students diagnosed as dyslexic are included in this category.

Apply here: Further Education Grants | Education Authority Northern Ireland

Students aged 18 years or over whose circumstances have changed since enrolment and find themselves in Financial Hardship, may receive help from the SRC Hardship Fund only if they have exhausted all other sources of finance. Students should complete a Hardship Fund application form and return to Campus Services on their campus. Applications will only be accepted when fully completed and supported with all the relevant evidence attached and signed off by the course tutor. Hardship Fund is an exhaustible fund.

Part time students may be entitled to a partial refund of fees for Certified courses if they meet the criteria below:

• Student aged 18 years old or over can apply, or students can apply on or after their 18th birthday.
• Must not be repeating and show academic progression. All forms must be signed by the course tutor.
• Household income between £22,930 and £33,950 could be eligible for assistance with fees paid and also maintenance support.
• Student must pay tuition and exam/registration fees at time of enrolment. Student can complete a Part-Time Fees Assistance Form to claim percentage refund for fees paid.
• In exceptional circumstances where a student cannot pay fees upfront, the student must speak with the Campus Services Coordinator.
• Courses that are 6 hours or more per week, may receive money towards travel. Students must fully complete the course related needs assessment section of the application.
• HE students may be entitled to travel costs only from the Hardship Fund.
• Students in receipt of EMA may be eligible for equipment costs for their course.
• Receipts must be provided and verified by your tutor, for equipment purchased for your course i.e. Hairdressing and Beauty Kits.

Please note, hardship payments are dependent on student attendance.

Find out more at http://hardship.src.ac.uk/ (link only available within College).

Childcare support is available for 16-19 year old parents who are undertaking a full-time or part-time further education course. Assistance with childcare costs is up to a maximum of £165 per week and travel expenses to and from the carer’s premises may be paid.

Students who do not qualify for Care to Learn can apply for childcare support from Student Finance NI, through the FE Grant. Students who have exhausted all other sources and are unable to secure funding, may make an application to the SRC Hardship Fund for support for registered childminder costs during their study.