COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment Scheme - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A list FAQs has been included below to provide further guidance in the first instance to interested parties.

Where students require further guidance or have any additional questions regarding their eligibility or the operation of the COVID-19 Study Disruption payments, including when and how payments are expected to be paid, these queries should be directed to the higher education institution (HEI) or further education college (FEC) with whom they are enrolled.

About the process

Do I have to apply to receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment or is it automatically received?

You do not have to apply to receive the payment. Payments will be issued to students by their Education Institution on behalf of the Department for the Economy. Your institution may need to validate details with you in advance of payment.

I am eligible, when will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

COVID-19 Study Disruption payments are planned to be paid to all eligible students by 31 March 2021. The institution you attend will make the payment and the precise process for this will be communicated by the institution.

How will the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment be made and will I be notified when the payment has been issued?

Arrangements for making payments may vary by institution. Students should check the information published by their education institution and contact them if necessary to find out more.

If I did not receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment and I feel I should have been eligible, is there an appeal process?

If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria but have not received a payment you should contact your education institution.

Who sets the criteria for the COVID-19 Study Disruption payment?

The criteria for the COVID-19 Study Disruption payment was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive on 4 February 2021.

Receiving payment

Will the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment be taxed?

Payments made under the scheme may be taxable depending on an individual’s circumstances. Institutions will not deduct any tax from payments before they are issued.

I am full time student entitled to Universal credit, will the COVID-19 Disruption Payment affect my Universal Credit benefit?

No, the COVID-19 disruption payment is excluded from being applicable as income under Regulations 68-70 of Universal Credit (NI) Regulations 2016.

Regulation 70 Calculation of student income (Universal Credit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016) states that the whole of the grant is to be taken into account excluding any payment -

(a) intended to meet tuition fees or examination fees,

(b) in respect of the person's disability,

(c) intended to meet additional expenditure connected with term time residential study away from the person's educational establishment,

(d) intended to meet the cost of the person maintaining a home at a place other than that at which he resides during the course, except where an award of universal credit includes an amount for the housing costs element in respect of those costs,

(e) intended for the maintenance of another person, but only if an award of universal credit does not include any amount in respect of that person,

(f) intended to meet the cost of books and equipment,

(g) intended to meet travel expenses incurred as a result of the person's attendance on the course, or

(h) intended to meet childcare costs.

As this payment is intended to mitigate certain student costs arising as a result of the pandemic which would fall into categories (a), (c) and (f) above, the disruption payment is excluded from being treated as applicable income for Universal Credit purposes.

Am I eligible?

I am from Northern Ireland but study at an institution in Great Britain / Republic of Ireland, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

No, the department does not have the legal powers to issue funding to institutions outside of Northern Ireland nor is it feasible to collect details and issue payments individually within the constraints on the funding provided. However, these students should, like in Northern Ireland, be supported by those administrations who have imposed restrictions on student activities. All areas of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have substantially increased funding available for student support and you are strongly encouraged to contact your University to seek assistance if required.

I am an international student studying a higher education course, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

The COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment is not available to international students, however Northern Ireland institutions can still provide support. Each educational institution has its own rules and procedures relating to hardship funds, which are available to all students, including international students. You are strongly encouraged to contact your institution if you require assistance or further information on this.

I am a part time student studying a higher education course, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

The COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment is not available to part time students, however, universities, university colleges and further education colleges can provide support to part time students and Minister Dodds recently announced a significant additional support package for students, including those studying part time, to address student financial hardship, digital poverty and to support student unions with mental health provision. You are strongly encouraged to contact your institution if you require assistance.

I am a full time higher education student enrolled in an FE college, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, UK and EU students studying full time for a Level 4+ qualification at any the six NI FE colleges are eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment.

I am a nursing student will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, provided you meet the other relevant eligibility criteria. This payment recognises the disruption to studies and is not related to the work undertaken during clinical placements.

I am a postgraduate/PhD student, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, provided you meet the other relevant eligibility criteria. This includes full time PGR students on funded PhDs.

I am an Open University student, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

No, the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment is not available to Open University students. However, support is available through existing DfE support funds and in addition the Open University also has available the COVID-19 Student Assistance Fund to assist students who are in financial hardship as a direct result of the pandemic. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Open University if you require assistance.

I am a CAFRE student, will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, provided they meet the other relevant eligibility criteria, CAFRE students will receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment.

I am a full time student currently on a temporary leave of absence, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment will be made to all full-time UK and EU higher education students including those on a temporary leave of absence.

I am a student who was on a full-time course but dropped modules in 20-21 to become part-time am I eligible the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

The COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment will be made to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate UK and EU students. If you are registered as a part-time student and therefore not eligible but in need of financial support, you are strongly encouraged to access the existing hardship funds.

I am an Erasmus student studying full time at university this semester, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

The COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment will be made to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate UK and EU students. Erasmus students only studying at the University for one semester are classed as part-time for the purposes of fees status. If you are registered as a part-time student and therefore not eligible but in need of financial support, you are strongly encouraged to access the existing hardship funds.

I am a student registered on a distance learning programme, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

The COVID-19 Disruption Payment will be made to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate UK and EU students. The vast majority of students on distance learning programmes are classed as part-time so are not eligible.

I am a student who is currently on their placement year will I receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, students who are currently on a placement year are still eligible to receive a payment, provided the other eligibility criteria are met.

I am a student who pays international fees but I hold an EU passport, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

No, the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment it is not available to international students but these students can access existing Hardship funds. Each educational institution has its own rules and procedures relating to hardship funds, which are available to all students, including international students. You are strongly encouraged to contact your institution if you require assistance or further information.

I was a full time, higher education student and I completed my studies in February 2021, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?

Yes, provided you meet the other relevant eligibility criteria, you will receive the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment.

I am a full time, higher education student who enrolled during February 2020, am I eligible for the COVID-19 Study Disruption Payment?