Chancellor Gordon Brown was tonight urged to throw more Treasury funds at alleviating student poverty in Northern Ireland.
SDLP MP Mr John Hume has written to Mr Brown seeking a meeting to discuss student hardship experienced.
Mr Hume said: "I am keen to lead a delegation to Westminster to make the case to the British Government that it must do more to alleviate student poverty by allocating additional resources to students.
"That funding should be used in Northern Ireland for student support to add to the £65 million (sterling) extra provision already secured by Sean Farren and Mark Durkan in the Executive."
SDLP Minister Ms Carmel Hanna currently handles the portfolio in the Stormont power sharing government which deals with student grants.
Last March, her predecessor, the current Finance Minister Mr Sean Farren announced plans to reduce the number of the students having to pay tuition fees.
His Student Finance Review also proposed to:
- Introduce 3,000 discretionary bursaries worth up to £1,500 for full-time students over 19 in further education.
- Create an additional 1,000 higher education places.
- Offer a childcare grant of up to £85 per week for one child, or £127.50 per week for two or more, for students on low incomes with dependent children.
- Promote third-level educational opportunities for all as well as access to guidance and information.
Mr Hume's Assembly colleague Mr John Tierney said tonight the party was anxious to secure extra money for the Northern Ireland Executive's budget including student finance.
The Foyle MLA argued: "If we can get the British Government to budget for meaningful student support that will trigger extra money for the Northern Ireland Executive.
"As well as trying to secure more money for student support from Westminster, the SDLP is also trying to squeeze extra money out of the Executive's budget.
"The £125 million in the 2003-2004 indicative budget is aimed at allowing more money for education among other things. This must include student support.
"Unlike those who are making false criticism of us, we are also working to deliver more."
PA