The maximum maintenance loan for Northern Ireland students living away from home will rise to £8,352 next academic year, the Economy Minister has announced.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald confirmed a 2.7% inflationary increase to student support for 2026/27. The uplift covers maintenance loans, grants and the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Under the changes, the maximum loan for students living at home increases from £6,300 to £6,471. For those studying in London, the top figure moves from £11,391 to £11,699. The maximum maintenance grant will rise from £3,475 to £3,569.

The disabled students’ allowance ceiling will increase by 10% to £27,500, while the postgraduate tuition fee loan maximum was previously raised by 54% to £10,000.

The department said 34,200 students received maintenance loans in 2024/25, worth a total of £153.6 million.

Dr Archibald said the measures follow a 20% uplift in 2025/26 and are designed to help students remain in education. She also highlighted her Good Jobs Bill, which she said would protect students in work by ensuring tips are passed on and offering banded hours contracts to those on regular schedules.

NUS-USI President Ben Friel said any increase in maintenance support was a step forward. He noted that financial pressure remained a barrier for many, who still work long hours or rely on hardship funds. He called for the upcoming Higher Education Funding Review to consider whether maintenance reflects the real cost of studying.