Student Finance Northern Ireland - Adult Dependants' Grant

Adult Dependants' Grant

You will receive up to £2,695 per academic year (about 3,110 EUR). As this is a grant, you do not have to repay it unless your circumstances change and you receive more than you are entitled to. The exact amount depends on your household income and is calculated on a case-by-case basis. The maximum amount remains unchanged for the academic years 2025/26 and 2026/27. This funding is provided by Student Finance Northern Ireland. It is aimed at full-time undergraduates who provide financial support to another adult, such as a partner or an elderly relative, whilst studying. Please note: these funds may affect the amount of your means-tested social security benefits or tax credits.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are enrolled on a full-time degree programme, such as a Bachelor’s degree, a ‘Foundation Degree’, an HNC or HND qualification, or a teacher training programme such as a PGCE.
• Where you study: Your university or higher education institution is publicly funded or designated as such, and at least half of your degree programme takes place in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.
• Field of study: Any topic is fine.
• Where you live: Northern Ireland is your usual place of residence. If you have moved there solely to study, you are not eligible for financial support and should submit your application to the funding body in your own region.
• Nationality and residence: You are a British or Irish citizen, have ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status, or belong to another eligible group, such as refugees. You must also have lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years prior to the start of your course.
• The adult you support: This may be your husband, wife, partner or a relative, such as a parent or grandparent. However, they must not be your own child, a relative who earns more than £3,873 per year, or someone who receives their own student finance.
• Age: There is no lower or upper limit. If your income is below 25, you may only claim a partner as a dependant if you are married or in a civil partnership.

How to apply

The quickest way is to log in to your Student Finance online account. You can also use a paper form or contact your local Student Finance NI office. You must reapply each year and can do so even before your place at university has been confirmed. The deadline is nine months after the first day of your academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested grant. It is a needs-based grant, which means that the amount depends on your household income. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and provides proof of their income will receive the grant up to the maximum limit. The only restriction is that you must actually be supporting another adult who is not your child, who does not earn much and who does not receive any student finance themselves. If this applies to your situation and you live in Northern Ireland, apply for the grant well in advance so that approval is confirmed before the course begins.