To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning what support exists for carers who wish to participate in further and higher education.

Financial assistance for those seeking to undertake a further or higher education course is not aimed specifically at any particular group. Financial help is targeted at those who are most in need and eligibility is based on family income. Further education students who require financial assistance with meeting the costs associated with learning, including travel and childcare costs, can apply for help through Further Education (FE) Awards and / or college Hardship funds. The amount of assistance provided is dependent on individual circumstances with the combined maximum amount payable through the FE Awards and Hardship Funds amounting to £3,500 in academic year 2014/15. Assistance with childcare costs is payable in addition to this amount.

Further details regarding financial assistance can be obtained from the Student Finance Team at any further education college.

A higher education student can apply for a Special Support Grant of up to £3,475 a year, payable to some students who are eligible to claim means-tested benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. Generally, this will be lone parents with caring responsibilities and students with disabilities.

Supplementary grants for students, in addition to maintenance loans and grants are also available. These include: Childcare Grants available for full-time higher education students who have dependent children and a low household income; Parents’ Learning Allowance for help with course-related costs of up to £1,538 a year for students with dependent children; and Adult Dependants' Grant of up to £2,695 a year for students who have a partner or another adult who depends on them financially.

In addition, carers may be eligible to apply for a payment from the Support Funds. This is money allocated by my Department to provide financial assistance to students on lower income who are able to demonstrate that they are in financial hardship during their studies. Students seeking financial support need to apply to their university which is entirely responsible for administering the Support Funds.