Lots of hard working students are currently planning their next step. If you are an a-level student then you might be applying for university or for further education and getting excited about your next step towards your future career.

Did you know that if you are currently finishing your A-levels you may be eligible for a scholarship which could help you to pay for part of your future educations. The details are all below so make sure that you read on.

Student scholarship scheme – Applications now open!

Student scholarship scheme - Applications now open!

If you’re intending to do a full-time undergraduate course this autumn, you can now apply for the All Ireland Scholarships Scheme. The scholarships provide financial help to top-performing students from low-income backgrounds. The value of each scholarship is £5,500 per year for the duration of a course. Applications must be received by 23 June 2017.

How to apply

Nineteen scholarships, funded by businessman JP McManus, will be made available to A-Level students from post-primary schools and six scholarships to students from further education colleges.

A minimum of two scholarships will be offered in each county of Northern Ireland, based on where the students live.

To be eligible for a scholarship, you must be in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.

You can get full details about the scholarships, including how to apply, at the page below:

There is more information about finance as you continue your education on the student finance page at Nidirect.

Please share this with any students who you know could benefit from this education scholarship – Share the conversation from Ballymena Today.