The Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

Amount of assistance

130.—(1) The basic grant varies according to the intensity of study.

(2) The intensity of study is calculated as follows and expressed as a percentage—

where

• PT is the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit to be awarded to the eligible part-time student by the academic authority if the student successfully completes the academic year in connection with which that student is applying for support;

• FT is—

  (a)

  where the course is provided by or on behalf of the Open University, 120;

  (b)

  where the course is provided by or on behalf of any other institution, the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit that a standard full-time student would be required to obtain in each academic year in order to complete the full-time equivalent within the period ordinarily required to complete that course.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) —

(a) “full-time equivalent” and “standard full-time student” are to be interpreted in accordance with regulation 127; and

(b) the period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent is to be calculated in accordance with regulation 127.

(4) The “basic grant” is—

(a) £805 where the intensity of study is less than 60 per cent. (“level 1”);

(b) £970 where the intensity of study is 60 per cent. or more but less than 75 per cent. (“level 2”);

(c) £1,210 where the intensity of study is 75 per cent. or more (“level 3”).

(5) Subject to paragraph (6) and regulation 137(6), the amount of assistance payable in respect of an academic year is determined as follows—

(a) if at the date of the application the eligible part-time student or the student’s partner is entitled—

(i) under Part VII of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 to income support or housing benefit;

(ii) under Part II of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 to income–based jobseeker’s allowance or under section 1 of the Employment and Training (Northern Ireland) Act 1950 to training allowance or training premium;

(iii) under Article 30A of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 to rates relief; or

(iv) under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 to an income-related employment and support allowance;

the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1) is payable.

(b) where the relevant income is less than £16,510, the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1) is payable;

(c) where the relevant income is £16,510, the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(b) is payable together with £50 less than the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(a);

(d) where the relevant income exceeds £16,510 but is less than £24,915, the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(b) is payable and the amount of assistance payable under regulation 129(1)(a) is the amount determined in accordance with paragraph (6);

(e) where the relevant income is £24,915, the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(b) is payable and the amount of assistance payable under regulation 129(1)(a) is £50;

(f) where the relevant income exceeds £24,915 but is less than £25,510, the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(b) is payable and no assistance is payable under regulation 129(1)(a);

(g) where the relevant income is £25,510 or more but less than £27,505, the amount of assistance payable under regulation 129(1)(b) is the amount left after deducting from the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(b) £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the relevant income exceeds £25,510, and no assistance is payable under regulation 129(1)(a);

(h) where the relevant income is £27,505, the amount of assistance payable under regulation 129(1)(b) is £50, and no assistance is payable under regulation 129(1)(a);

(i) where the relevant income exceeds £27,505, no assistance is payable under regulation 129(1).

(6) Where paragraph (5)(d) applies, the amount of assistance payable under regulation 129(1)(a) is determined by deducting from the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(a) one of the following amounts—

(a) £50 plus a further £1 for each complete £11.92, £9.66 or £7.57 by which the relevant income exceeds £16,510 according to whether the intensity of study is level 1, 2 or 3, respectively; or

(b) where the basic grant is greater than the actual fees, an amount equal to that left after deducting from the amount calculated under sub-paragraph (a) the difference between the basic grant and the actual fees (unless the amount is a negative number in which case the maximum amount of assistance available under regulation 129(1)(a) is payable).