£65m student package for the North

A student support package worth an extra £65m over the next three years is expected to be unveiled by Stormont Higher and Further Education Minister Sean Farren today.

A student support package worth an extra £65 million over the next three years is expected to be unveiled by Stormont Higher and Further Education Minister Sean Farren today.

Mr Farren had announced in December plans to introduce bursaries for some university students in order to widen access to third level education.

Although the broad principles were accepted by the Executive, he was asked to outline his proposals in detail before cash earmarked for the package can be released.

After receiving the green light at last week’s Executive meeting, the Minister will announce in the Assembly full details of what he plans to bring into effect later this year.