Vital payments to help students meet the day-to-day living costs associated with higher education could be made monthly instead of just three times a year.
Employment and Learning minister Dr Stephen Farry announced the launch of a consultation into the frequency of student support payments for full-time undergraduates.
The student support package comprises of two main elements: a non-means tested tuition fee loan to cover the costs associated with tuition fees; and a partially means tested maintenance support package to meet living costs.
Payments are paid in three instalments over the academic year, in October, January and after Easter.
The Scottish government has already moved away from this policy and students are now paid in 10 monthly instalments.
The Scottish model is among the options included in the consultation document. Others include retaining the status quo, 12 equal monthly payments or `front-loaded' monthly payments.
"The student support package is designed to support students while they undertake their higher education studies. Currently, student support payments for full-time undergraduate students from Northern Ireland are made three times a year," Dr Farry said.
"The consultation looks at a number of policy proposals in regard to different payment frequencies for the student maintenance package. As well as the current tri-annual payment process, it also explores options associated with different monthly payment schedules. I am interested in hearing the views of stakeholders as to a balanced way forward and potential alternatives to the existing system."
