Thousands of students in Northern Ireland will receive increased maintenance payments next academic year after the Economy Minister confirmed an inflationary uplift.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced that maximum maintenance loans and grants will rise by 2.7% for 2026/27. For a full-time undergraduate from Northern Ireland living away from home, the maximum loan increases from £8,132 to £8,352. Those living at home can borrow up to £6,471, up from £6,300, and the London rate moves from £11,391 to £11,699.

Students eligible for maintenance grants on top of their loan will see the ceiling rise from £3,475 to £3,569. The Disabled Students’ Allowance maximum also jumps 10%, from £25,000 to £27,500.

The department said 34,200 students received maintenance loans in 2024/25, with total payments reaching £153.6 million. This new uplift follows a 20% increase to maximum loans in 2025/26.

Earlier this year the Economy Minister raised the postgraduate tuition fee loan maximum by 54%, from £6,500 to £10,000, again for the 2026/27 year.

Sinn Féin economy spokesperson Pádraig Delargy welcomed the decision, saying the loans and grants help students remain in education during difficult financial times. NUS-USI President Ben Friel also said any increase in maintenance support is a step in the right direction. However, he noted many students still work long hours or depend on hardship funds, and urged the upcoming Higher Education Funding Review to examine whether payments reflect the real cost of studying and living. NUS-USI represents more than 130,000 students and apprentices across further and higher education in Northern Ireland.

Dr Archibald linked the measures to her proposed Good Jobs Bill, which she said would require tips and service charges to be passed on in full and would give regular part-time workers the right to banded hours contracts instead of zero-hours arrangements. She stated the changes aim to help learners manage daily costs and stay on their path into good jobs.