“Update the payment rates for student support for an academic year which begins on or after 1 August 2026.” That’s the Department for the Economy’s own summary as it signs off a fresh round of student finance changes for Northern Ireland. (niassembly.gov.uk)

From 10 April 2026, the rulebook is refreshed and, crucially for students starting courses from August, the rates move in line with inflation and recent fee decisions. The Department says Disabled Students’ Allowance will be available to exam- or assessment‑only students, such as those resitting modules, and the cap rises to £27,500 a year. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Fee support is being realigned. The maximum tuition fee that local universities can charge from 2026/27 increases to £4,985, and the maximum fee loan for NI‑domiciled students studying in Great Britain tracks the £9,790 ceiling there. In plain terms, a student heading to Manchester or Leeds next autumn can borrow enough to cover the full fee, while those staying at Queen’s or Ulster see the local fee loan limit lift to match the new cap. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Maintenance support edges up by 2.7 percent for 2026/27. The maximum maintenance loan moves to £6,471 for students living at home, £8,352 for those living away from home, and £11,699 for those living in London. The maximum maintenance grant, and the Special Support Grant for eligible students on benefits, rise to £3,569. These uplifts apply whether study is in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland or elsewhere in the UK. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Disabled Students’ Allowance gets a clearer remit as well as a higher cap. Officials confirm the £27,500 limit is needs‑assessed and typically covers non‑medical help, specialist equipment and, where required, travel to study; the Education Authority signs off support on a case‑by‑case basis. (niassembly.gov.uk)

There’s a guardrail on grants too. Students on graduate‑entry courses will not be eligible for the Special Support Grant, bringing that rule into line with maintenance grant arrangements. It’s a tidy‑up designed to keep treatments consistent across routes. (niassembly.gov.uk)

A bit of housekeeping strips out references that no longer apply - including the old “Scottish healthcare allowance” and the now‑defunct Regional Health and Social Care Board - to keep the 2009 base regulations current. A technical fix also clears up last year’s amending regulations. (niassembly.gov.uk)

For campuses here, the changes are practical. Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and the university colleges will set 2026/27 packages against the new limits, while the Student Loans Company plans to open full‑time undergraduate applications on 22 March 2026 - worth noting for anyone aiming to get paperwork in early. (niassembly.gov.uk)

Student voices have pushed for movement on living‑cost support since the cost‑of‑living spike. When a previous uplift landed last year, NUS‑USI’s Ben Friel called it “more money in students’ pockets” - a line that still resonates as these incremental rises are banked for 2026/27. (nus-usi.org)