The Education Authority has a statutory responsibility for the provision of transport assistance to facilitate attendance at a grant-aided school of pupils for whom fees are not paid and who are resident in Northern Ireland. This guide aims to help you navigate the transport application process.
To apply for transport at a Further Education College, download the Transport Application Form and return it to your local Transport Office.
Eligibility for transport assistance is set out in the Department of Education Circular 1996/41, (updated September 2009). The circular states:
Where there is a college within statutory qualifying distance (3 miles) from a students’ permanent home address and a student attends a more distant college, transport assistance will be provided only where the student has been unable to gain a place in any college within the statutory qualifying distance.
Where there is no college within statutory qualifying distance from a student’s home, transport assistance will be granted provided there is EA or public transport already available to or in the vicinity of the college attended. In cases where there is no transport available, transport assistance may be provided to the nearest college which offers the course.
Where there is a college within statutory qualifying distance from a student’s home, but the student is unable to obtain a place on a suitable course, Part C of the application form must be fully completed before it is submitted to the Transport Office.
Transport will only be awarded to students who meet the following criteria:
You are not entitled to transport assistance for the incoming school session if your 19th birthday is attained on or before 1st July.
Do you know that your choice and order of preferences could impact on your child’s eligibility for transport assistance?
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