To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning how his Department informs further and higher education students of the Student Hardship Fund, Further Education Awards, and other available student welfare provisions.

In Further Education, financial assistance to students is provided through Further Education Awards and college Hardship Funds. These are advertised extensively through a variety of media. Further Education Awards are promoted through a television advertising campaign during May and June each year. In addition each college promotes both funds through the following channels: prospectuses, websites, prominently displayed posters and a variety of funding guidance literature including flyers, mail drops and information in college diaries. Funding advice is also provided at each induction session. An application form and further information regarding Further Education Awards can be found at http://www.education-support.org.uk/. Information regarding Hardship Funds can be obtained from college websites or by contacting student funding staff in each college.

Higher Education offers additional support to students in the form of the means tested Higher Education Support Funds, available through Northern Ireland Higher Education Universities and Colleges. The funds can be used to help students who are experiencing financial hardship. The Department informs and promotes the funds through the Student Finance NI and NIDirect websites. Each year the Department drafts and distributes the Higher Education booklet; Support Funds – Conditions of funding for Higher Education Institutions in Northern Ireland to Queens University Belfast, the University of Ulster, St Marys College and Stranmillis College. Electronic versions of the publication can also be downloaded from the NIDirect website: www.nidirect.gov.uk and the DEL website: www.delni.gov.uk .