Student debt in Northern Ireland hit a fresh high as undergraduates take out government loans to help pay tuition fees, official figures showed today.
The Student Loans Company lent £111.8 million (€130.5 million) last year for maintenance costs, an increase of almost 3per cent.
More students are entering higher education and Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey is considering the future of student finance.
The loans company was owed £1.1 million (€1.28 million) at the end of 2008/09, up from £997,843 (€1,164,751) the previous year.
The total amount lent to eligible higher education students during financial year 2008/09 was £164.4 million (€191.8 million), of which £67.8 million (€79.1 million) relates to tuition fee loans.
Fees currently stand at £3,145 (€3,671) per year.
Universities have been pressing for more money in order to meet rising costs in the higher education sector.
Queen’s University Belfast this week said over 100 jobs were expected to go as part of academic changes.
PA