The Education (Student Support) ( No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART 4 N.I. FEE SUPPORT

CHAPTER 1 N.I. GENERAL

Previous course N.I.

13.—(1) Subject to the exceptions in paragraphs (4), (5) and (6), a “previous course” is—

(a) where the current course began before 1st September 2009, any full-time higher education course, part-time course for the initial training of teachers or a course designated under regulation 6(9), which the student attended or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertook before the current course and which meets any of the conditions in paragraph (2).

(b) where the current course begins on or after 1st September 2009—

(i) a lower level qualification achieved following a full-time or part-time higher education course, part-time course for the initial training of teachers or a course designated under regulation 6(9), which the student attended or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertook before the current course;

(ii) a full-time higher education course, part-time course for the initial training of teachers or a course designated under regulation 6(9), which the student attended, or in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertook before the current course where the student studied but did not achieve a qualification and which meets one or both of the conditions in paragraph (3); or

(iii) a full-time higher education course, part-time course for the initial training of teachers or a course designated under regulation 6(9), which the student attended or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertook before the current course where—

(aa) the course meets any of the conditions in paragraph (2); and

(bb) the student’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the current course pursuant to regulation 8 from a designated course which began before 1st September 2009.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) the course was provided by an institution in the United Kingdom which was publicly funded for some or all of the academic years during which the student attended or undertook the course; or

(b) the course was provided by an institution in the Republic of Ireland and the student was funded under previous regulations for some or all of the academic years during which the student attended or undertook the course; or

(c) any scholarship, exhibition, bursary, grant, allowance or award of any description which was paid in respect of the student attending or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertaking the course to defray fees was from public funds or funds attributable to public funds.

(3) The conditions are—

(a) the course was provided at a publicly funded institution whether or not in the United Kingdom for some or all of the academic years during which the student attended or undertook the course; or

(b) any scholarship, exhibition, bursary, grant, allowance or award of any description which was paid in respect of the student’s attending or, in the case of a compressed degree course or a designated distance learning course, undertaking the course to defray fees was from public funds or funds attributable to public funds.

(4) A course which would otherwise be a previous course will not be treated as such if—

(a) the current course is a course for the initial training of teachers;

(b) the duration of the current course does not exceed two years (the duration of a part-time course being expressed as its full-time equivalent); and

(c) the student is not a qualified teacher.

(5) A course for the Certificate in Education which would otherwise be a previous course will not be treated as such if—

(a) the current course is a course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education; and

(b) the student transferred to the current course from the course for the Certificate in Education before the completion of that course or began the current course on completion of the course for the Certificate in Education.

(6) A course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education will not be treated as a previous course if—

(a) the current course is a course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education; and

(b) the student transferred to the current course from the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education before the completion of that course or began the current course on completion of the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education.

(7) Subject to paragraphs (8), (9) and (10), for the purpose of determining PC in the formulae in regulations 23 and 30—

(a) each academic year that the student completed on a previous course is counted; and

(b) an academic year of a previous course that the student began or ceased to attend part of the way through the year is counted as one academic year on a previous course.

(8) For the purpose of determining PC in the formulae in regulations 23 and 30, where the student began the current course before 1st September 2009, an academic year of a previous course is not to be counted as a year spent on a previous course if—

(a) the student did not qualify for fee support for that year other than because the academic year was a bursary year or an Erasmus year; and

(b) the student qualified for fee support for some but not all of the other academic years of that previous course.

(9) For the purpose of determining PC in the formulae in regulations 23 and 30, an academic year of a previous course is not to be counted as a year spent on a previous course if it was a year of repeat study that the student was taking for compelling personal reasons or a year in relation to which the student qualified for fee support because the student had failed to complete a previous course for compelling personal reasons.

(10) For the purpose of determining PC in the formulae in regulations 23 and 30, where a student (“A”) transfers from an academic year of one designated course to an academic year of another designated course before the Department considers that A has completed the year from which A is transferring, the time spent by A during the academic year in which the transfer takes place on the course from which A is transferring is not counted as a year spent on a previous course.

(11) A student (“A”) who undertook a previous course but was not in attendance because A was unable to attend for a reason which related to A’s disability is only treated as having been in attendance on the previous course in respect of periods of study beginning on or after 1st September 2006.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 13 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Miscellaneous N.I.

14.—(1) Where paragraph (2) applies, an eligible student is not prevented from qualifying for fee support under this Part because—

(a) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom or the student has an honours degree from an institution in the Republic of Ireland for which he received financial support under previous regulations, where the student began the current course before 1st September 2009; or

(b) the current course leads to an equivalent or lower qualification, where the student begins the course on or after 1st September 2009.

(2) This paragraph applies where—

(a) the current course is a course for the initial training of teachers;

(b) the duration of the current course does not exceed two years (the duration of a part-time course being expressed as its full-time equivalent); and

(c) the student is not a qualified teacher.

(3) Where paragraph (4) applies, an eligible student is not prevented from qualifying for fee support under this Part because the current course leads to an equivalent or lower qualification, where the student begins the current course on or after 1st September 2009.

(4) This paragraph applies where the student’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the current course pursuant to regulation 8 from a designated course which began before 1st September 2009.

(5) Where the current course is considered to be a single course because of regulation 6(7) and (8) and it leads to a honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom or relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland being conferred on the eligible student before the final degree or equivalent qualification, the eligible student is not prevented from qualifying for fee support under this Part in respect of any part of the single course by virtue of having that honours degree.

[F1 (5A) Where the current course is considered to be a single course because of regulation 6(7) and (8)—

(a) any Master’s, etc. fee loan which an eligible student obtained under Part 13 for the purposes of obtaining the degree or qualification first mentioned in regulation 6(7)(a); and

(b) any academic year(s) in which that Master’s, etc. fee loan was obtained,

is ignored when determining an eligible student’s entitlement under Parts 4 to 6 in respect of the single course which confers the final degree or equivalent qualification.]

F2 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) Where an institution allows an eligible student to study the content of one standard academic year of the designated course over two or more academic years, for the purpose of determining whether the student qualifies for fee support for those years, the last of such years of study is to be treated as a standard academic year and the preceding years of that kind are to be treated as years of repeat study other than for compelling personal reasons.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 14(5A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No.2) (Amendment) and Education (Student Loan) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/7), regs. 1(1), 5

F2 Reg. 14(6) repealed (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), regs. 1, 3

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 14 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 2 N.I. TYPES OF FEE SUPPORT AVAILABLE

Current system students N.I.

15.  A current system student (“A”) qualifies for a fee loan in respect of the fees [F3 or relevant institution charge loan in respect of student contribution charge] payable by A in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course in accordance with Chapter 3 of this Part.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in reg. 15 inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 6

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 15 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students N.I.

16.—(1) An old system student (“A”) qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of the fees payable by A in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course in accordance with Chapter 4 of this Part.

(2) A qualifies for a fee contribution loan in respect of the fees payable by A in connection with A’s attendance on a designated course in accordance with Chapter 5 of this Part.

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 16 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Students becoming eligible in the course of an academic year N.I.

17.  Where one of the events listed in regulation 18 occurs in the course of an academic year—

(a) a student may qualify for fee support in accordance with this Part in respect of that academic year provided that the relevant event occurred within the first three months of the academic year; and

(b) fee support is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the relevant event occurred.

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 17 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Events N.I.

18.  The events are—

(a) the student’s course becomes a designated course;

(b) the student or the student’s spouse, civil partner or parent is recognised as a refugee or becomes a person with leave to enter or remain;

(c) a state accedes to the European Community where the student is a national of that state or a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 2) of a national of that state;

(d) the student becomes a family member (as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 2) of an EC national;

(e) the student acquires the right of permanent residence;

(f) the student becomes the child of a Turkish worker;

(g) the student becomes a person described in paragraph 6(1)(a) of Schedule 2; or

(h) the student becomes the child of a Swiss national.

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 18 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Students to be treated as in attendance on a course N.I.

19.—(1) A student to whom this regulation applies is treated as if the student were in attendance on the designated course for the purpose of qualifying for fee support.

(2) This regulation applies to—

(a) a compressed degree student; or

(b) a disabled student who—

(i) is not a compressed degree student; and

(ii) is undertaking a designated course in the United Kingdom or at a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland but is not in attendance because the student is unable to attend for a reason which relates to the student’s disability.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 19 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 3 N.I. FEE LOANS FOR CURRENT SYSTEM STUDENTS

Availability of fee loans to current system students - general N.I.

20.—(1) A current system student does not qualify for a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] in respect of a designated course if—

(a) the designated course leads to an equivalent or lower qualification, the exemptions in regulation 14(1) to (4) do not apply and the student begins the course on or after 1st September 2009;

(b) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom, the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply;

(c) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the Republic of Ireland for which he received financial support under previous regulations and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(d) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(a) to (c), a current system student qualifies for fee support in respect of a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland.

(3) A current system student does not qualify for a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] in respect of—

(a) an academic year of a designated course that is [F5 —

(i) a bursary year;

(ii) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in Northern Ireland F6 ...; or

(iii) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in England [F7 , Wales or Scotland] where the course began before 1st September 2012;] or

(b) a year for which he is in receipt of funding from the Department to participate in a management development programme known as [F8 Study USA].

(4) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(5) The standard entitlement is calculated in accordance with regulation 21, 22, 23 or 24.

(6) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must allocate a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a fee loan [F4 or student contribution charge] has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(7) A current system student qualifies for a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] in respect of a standard academic year of the designated course if the Department allocates a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

[F9 (8) In addition to the standard entitlement, a current system student who falls within regulation 23 and has failed to complete the most recent previous course because of compelling personal reasons qualifies for a fee loan in respect of the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not—

(a) a bursary year;

(b) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in Northern Ireland F10 ...; or

(c) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in England [F11 , Wales or Scotland] where the course began before 1st September 2012;]

[F12 (8A) In addition to the standard entitlement, a current system student to whom regulation 24(2) applies qualifies for a fee loan or relevant institution charge loan in respect of the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not a bursary year or an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in Northern Ireland F13 ... where—

(a) the current course begins on or after 1st September 2014; and

(b) the preliminary course was a part-time course.]

(9) Where a current system student qualifies for a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] under paragraph (8), the Department must not allocate a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] under paragraph (6) to the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not [F14 —

(a) a bursary year;

(b) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in Northern Ireland F15 ...; or

(c) an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in England [F16 , Wales or Scotland] where the course began before 1st September 2012;].

[F17 (9A) Where a current system student qualifies for a fee loan or relevant institution charge loan under paragraph (8A), the Department must not allocate a fee loan or relevant institution charge loan under paragraph (6) to the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not a bursary year or an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in Northern Ireland F18 ....]

(10) In addition to the standard entitlement, if the Department determines that the student is repeating an academic year of the designated course because of compelling personal reasons, a current system student qualifies for a fee loan [F4 and student contribution charge] in respect of the year of repeat study provided that the academic year that the student is repeating was a qualifying year of study and the year of repeat study is not a bursary year.

(11) A current system student qualifies for a fee loan [F4 and student contribution charge] in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a year of repeat study which the student is taking other than for compelling personal reasons if—

(a) the academic year which the student is repeating was a qualifying year of study;

(b) the academic year of repeat study is not a bursary year; and

(c) when the academic year of repeat study is added to the number of any other academic years of repeat study that the student has already taken on the current course other than for compelling personal reasons, it does not exceed the number of additional years of support.

(12) In this regulation, the “number of additional years of support” is the number of years which make up the standard entitlement less the number of standard academic years (plus one where the student qualifies for a fee loan [F4 or relevant institution charge loan] under paragraph (8) [F19 (or 8A)]).

(13) The amount of the fee loan F20 ... in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 25 and may be nil.

[F21 (14) The amount of the relevant institution charge loan in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 25A and may be nil.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in reg. 20 inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 7

F5 Words in reg. 20(3)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 5(a)

F6 Words in reg. 20(3)(a)(ii) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(a)

F7 Words in reg. 20(3)(a)(iii) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(b)

F8 Words in reg. 20(3)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 5(b)

F9 Reg. 20(8) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 5(c)

F10 Words in reg. 20(8)(b) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(c)

F11 Words in reg. 20(8)(c) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(d)

F12 Reg. 20(8A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/97), regs. 1(1), 3(a)

F13 Words in reg. 20(8A) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(e)

F14 Words in reg. 20(9) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 5(d)

F15 Words in reg. 20(9)(b) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(f)

F16 Words in reg. 20(9)(c) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(g)

F17 Reg. 20(9A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/97), regs. 1(1), 3(b)

F18 Words in reg. 20(9A) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 5(h)

F19 Words in reg. 20(12) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/97), regs. 1(1), 3(c)

F20 Words in reg. 20(13) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. 2014/97), regs. 1(1), 3(d)

F21 Reg. 20(14) added (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/223), regs. 1(1), 5(e)

Commencement Information

I8 Reg. 20 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Standard entitlement of current system students who have not studied on a previous course N.I.

21.  Subject to regulation 22, the standard entitlement of a current system student who has not studied on a previous course is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course.

Commencement Information

I9 Reg. 21 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Standard entitlement – course leading to degree in social work N.I.

22.—(1) Where the current course is a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland, the standard entitlement of a current system student is as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the current course.

(2) Paragraph (1) also applies where—

(a) the current course in relation to that student falls under paragraph (a) of the definition of “end-on course”; or

(b) the student has studied on a previous course other than a course mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).

(3) Where this regulation applies, regulations 23 and 24 do not apply.

Commencement Information

I10 Reg. 22 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Standard entitlement of current system students who have transferred from or otherwise studied on a previous course N.I.

23.—(1) The standard entitlement of a current system student who has studied on a previous course and who does not fall within regulation 22 or 24 is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course

• PC is the number of academic years that the student has spent on previous courses.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, a “current system student who has studied on a previous course” includes a current system student whose status as an eligible student has been transferred to the current course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Department pursuant to regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order from a designated course which—

(a) is a previous course; and

(b) the student began on or after 1st September 2006.

Commencement Information

I11 Reg. 23 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Standard entitlement of current system students on end-on courses and certain degree courses N.I.

24.—(1) Where the current course began before 1st September 2009, this regulation applies to—

(a) a current system student who is on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2;

(b) a current system student who—

(i) has completed a full-time course mentioned in paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 3;

(ii) is on a full-time first degree course (other than a first degree course for the initial training of teachers) that the student did not begin immediately after the course referred to in paragraph (i); and

(iii) has not taken a full-time first degree course after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the current course;

(c) a current system student who—

(i) has completed a full-time foundation degree course;

(ii) is on a full-time honours degree course that the student did not begin immediately after the course referred to in paragraph (i); and

(iii) has not taken a full-time first degree course after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the current course.

(2) Where the current course begins on or after 1st September 2009, this regulation applies to—

(a) a current system student who is on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (d) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2;

(b) a current system student who—

[F22 (i) has completed a course mentioned in paragraph 2, 3 or 4 of Schedule 3 or overseas equivalent, or a foundation degree course or overseas equivalent, on a full-time, part-time or full-time distance learning basis having achieved a qualification;]

(ii) is on a full-time first degree course (other than a first degree course for the initial training of teachers) that the student did not begin immediately after the course referred to in paragraph (i); and

(iii) has not taken a full-time first degree course after the course referred to in paragraph (i) and before the current course.

(3) Regulations 21, 22 and 23 do not apply to students to whom this regulation applies.

(4) The standard entitlement of a student to whom paragraph (1) applies is calculated as follows—

where

• D is the greater of 3 and the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course

• X is 1 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was less than three years and 2 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was three years

• PrC is the number of academic years that the student spent on the preliminary course excluding any years of repeat study for compelling personal reasons.

(5) The standard entitlement of a student to whom paragraph (2) applies is calculated as follows–-

where

• D is the greater of 3 and the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course

• X is—

  1

  where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was less than three years,

  2

  where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was three years,

  3

  where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was four years,

  4

  where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was five years, and

  5

  where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was six years

• PrC is the number of academic years that the student spent on the preliminary course excluding any years of repeat study for compelling personal reasons.

Textual Amendments

F22 Reg. 24(2)(b)(i) substituted (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 10

Commencement Information

I12 Reg. 24 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the fee loan N.I.

25.—(1) Unless one of the cases set out in paragraph (3) applies, the amount of a fee loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course [F23 mentioned in paragraph (2C)] must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) [F24 £9,250]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(2) In the cases set out in paragraph (3), the amount of a fee loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course [F25 mentioned in paragraph (2C)] must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) [F26 £4,625]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

[F27 (2A) Unless one of the cases set out in paragraph (3) applies, the amount of a fee loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course [F28 mentioned in paragraph (2D)] must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) [F29 £4,030]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(2B) In the cases set out in paragraph (3), the amount of a fee loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course [F30 mentioned in paragraph (2D)] must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) [F31 £2,005]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.]

[F32 (2C) The designated courses for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) are designated courses:-

(a) provided by or on behalf of a publicly funded institution in Northern Ireland, England or Scotland;

(b) provided by or on behalf of a publicly funded institution in Wales, where the course began before 1st September 2017;

(c) provided by or on behalf of a regulated institution in Wales, where the course begins on or after 1st September 2017.

(2D) The designated courses for the purposes of paragraphs (2A) and (2B) are designated courses:-

(a) provided by a private institution (other than on behalf of a publicly funded institution) in Northern Ireland, England or Scotland;

(b) provided by a private institution (other than on behalf of a publicly funded institution) in Wales, where the course began before 1st September 2017;

(c) provided by a non-regulated institution (other than on behalf of a regulated institution) in Wales, where the course begins on or after 1st September 2017.]

(3) The cases are—

(a) the final academic year of a designated course where that academic year is normally required to be completed after less than 15 weeks’ attendance;

(b) in respect of a sandwich course, an academic year—

(i) during which any periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks; or

(ii) if in respect of that academic year and any previous academic years of the course the aggregate of any one or more periods of attendance which are not periods of full-time study at the institution (disregarding intervening vacations) exceeds 30 weeks;

(c) in respect of a course for the initial training of teachers, an academic year during which any periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks;

(d) in respect of a course provided in conjunction with an overseas institution, an academic year—

(i) during which any periods of full-time study at the institution in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland are in aggregate less than 10 weeks; or

(ii) if in respect of that academic year and any previous academic years of the course the aggregate of any one or more periods of attendance which are not periods of full-time study at the institution in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland (disregarding intervening vacations) exceeds 30 weeks.

(4) If a student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from one designated course to another under these Regulations and the circumstances in paragraph (5) apply, the student may apply to the Department to borrow an additional amount by way of a fee loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which that student transfers.

(5) The circumstances are—

(a) the fees payable in respect of the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers exceed the fees [F33 or student contribution charge] payable in respect of the academic year of the course from which the student is transferring; and

(b) the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers does not begin on a later date than the academic year of the course from which the student is transferring.

(6) If a student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from one designated course to another under these Regulations and the circumstances in paragraph (7) apply, the student may apply to the Department for [F34 a fee loan or] another fee loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which the student transfers.

(7) The circumstances are that the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers begins on a later date than the academic year of the course from which that student is transferring.

(8) Where the circumstances in paragraph (5) apply, the maximum additional amount that the current system student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which that student transfers, provided that the student qualifies for a fee loan in respect of that year, is determined by deducting the amount of any fee loan [F35 or relevant institution charge loan] the student has taken out under these Regulations in respect of the academic year from which the student is transferring from the lesser of—

[F36 (a) the amount specified in paragraph (1)(a), (2)(a), (2A)(a) or (2B)(a) as the case may be; and]

(b) the fees payable by the student in respect of the academic year to which the student is transferring.

(9) Where the circumstances in paragraph (7) apply, the maximum amount of fee loan that a current system student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which that student transfers provided that the student qualifies for a fee loan in respect of that year is the lesser of—

[F37 (a) the amount specified in paragraph (1)(a), (2)(a), (2A)(a) or (2B)(a) as the case may be; and]

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(10) Where a current system student has applied for a fee loan of less than the maximum amount available in relation to an academic year, that student may apply to borrow an additional amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in that student’s case.

[F38 (11) Where the circumstances in paragraph (12) apply, the amount of a fee loan must not exceed the lesser of—

(a) £1,385; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(12) This paragraph applies in respect of an Erasmus year of a course provided by an institution in England, Wales or Scotland which begins on or after 1st September 2017.]

Textual Amendments

F23 Words in reg. 25(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(a)

F24 Sum in reg. 25(1)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F25 Words in reg. 25(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(b)

F26 Sum in reg. 25(2)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F27 Reg. 25(2A)(2B) inserted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), regs. 1, 4(4)

F28 Words in reg. 25(2A) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(c)

F29 Sum in reg. 25(2A)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F30 Words in reg. 25(2B) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(d)

F31 Sum in reg. 25(2B)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F32 Reg. 25(2C)(2D) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(e)

F33 Words in reg. 25(5)(a) inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 8(a)

F34 Words in reg. 25(6) inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 8(b)

F35 Words in reg. 25(8) inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 8(c)

F36 Reg. 25(8)(a) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), regs. 1, 4(5)

F37 Reg. 25(9)(a) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), regs. 1, 4(6)

F38 Reg. 25(11)(12) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 6(f)

Commencement Information

I13 Reg. 25 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

[F39 Amount of relevant institution charge loan N.I.

25A.— (1) The amount of the relevant institution charge loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course must not exceed the amount of the student contribution charge payable by the student to the relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland in connection with that year.

(2) Where a current system student has applied for a relevant institution charge loan of less than the maximum amount available in relation to the academic year, the student may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for, does not exceed the maximum amount available.

(3) The amount of relevant institution charge loan will be converted from euro to sterling using the average euro to sterling conversion rate published by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs(1) for the calendar year preceding the start of the academic year for which the eligible student applies for the relevant institution charge loan.

(4) If a student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from one designated course to another under these Regulations and the circumstances in paragraph (5) apply, the student may apply to the Department to borrow an additional amount by way of a relevant institution charge loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which that student transfers.

(5) The circumstances are—

(a) the student contribution charge payable in respect of the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers exceeds the fees or student contribution charge payable in respect of the academic year of the course from which the student is transferring; and

(b) the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers does not begin on a later date than the academic year of the course from which the student is transferring.

(6) If a student’s status as an eligible student is transferred from one designated course to another under these Regulations and the circumstances in paragraph (7) apply, the student may apply to the Department for a relevant institution charge loan or another relevant institution charge loan in respect of the academic year of the course to which the student transfers.

(7) The circumstances are that the academic year of the course to which the current system student transfers begins on a later date than the academic year of the course from which that student is transferring.

(8) Where the circumstances in paragraph (5) apply, the maximum additional amount that the current system student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which that student transfers, provided that the student qualifies for a relevant institution charge loan in respect of that year, is determined by deducting the aggregate amount of any fee loan and any relevant institution charge loan the student has taken out under these Regulations in respect of the academic year from which the student is transferring from the student contribution charge payable by the student in respect of the academic year to which the student is transferring.

(9) Where the circumstances in paragraph (7) apply, the maximum amount of relevant institution charge loan that a current system student may borrow in respect of the academic year to which that student transfers provided that the student qualifies for a relevant institution charge loan in respect of that year is the student contribution charge payable by the student in connection with that year.

(10) Where a current system student has applied for a relevant institution charge loan of less than the amount available in relation to an academic year, that student may apply to borrow an additional amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in that student’s case.]

Textual Amendments

F39 Reg. 25A inserted (6.6.2013 with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. 2013/128), regs. 1(1), 9

CHAPTER 4 N.I. GRANTS FOR FEES FOR OLD SYSTEM STUDENTS

Old system students who are continuing students N.I.

26.—(1) This regulation applies to an old system student who began a designated course before 1st September 2006 and is continuing on that course after 31st August 2010, or began a designated course on or after 1st September 2006 at a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland and is continuing on that course after 31st August 2010 (in either case a “continuing student”).

(2) A continuing student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of any academic year of the course that begins on or after 1st September 2010 where in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the designated course that began before 1st September 2006 the Department determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order that the student did not qualify for fee support in respect of the designated course.

(3) A continuing student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of a designated course if the designated course is a flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(4) A continuing student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(5) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the designated course, the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(6) The standard entitlement is calculated as follows—

where

• SAY is the number of standard academic years of the designated course that begin after 31st August 2006,

• X is the number of academic years of the designated course that begin after 31st August 2006 in respect of which the Department determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order that the student did not qualify for a grant for fees in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the designated course that began before 1st September 2006.

(7) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the designated course, the Department must allocate a grant for fees from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a grant for fees has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(8) A continuing student qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of a standard academic year of the designated course if the Department allocates a grant for fees to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

(9) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 32, 33 or 34 and may be nil.

Commencement Information

I14 Reg. 26 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students who are transferring students N.I.

27.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this regulation applies to an old system student who—

(a) began a designated course on or after 1st September 2006 and is continuing on that course after 31st August 2010; or

(b) begins a designated course on or after 1st September 2010,

and whose status as an eligible student has been transferred to the course as a result of one or more transfers of that status by the Department pursuant to regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order from a designated course that the student began before 1st September 2006 (a “transferring student”).

(2) This regulation does not apply where an eligible student has transferred from a course in relation to which that student was a gap year student to another designated course in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order.

(3) Where in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the relevant course, the Department determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order that the student did not qualify for fee support in respect of that course, a transferring student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of any academic year of the current course.

(4) In this regulation, the “relevant course” is the designated course that the student was taking as at 31st August 2006.

(5) A transferring student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of a designated course if the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(6) A transferring student does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(7) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(8) The standard entitlement is calculated as follows where the course began before 1st September 2007 and is not a course listed in paragraph (11)—

where

• RAY is the number of standard academic years of the relevant course that remain after 31st August 2006,

• X is the number of academic years of the relevant course that remain after 31st August 2006 in respect of which the Department determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order that the student did not qualify for a grant for fees in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the relevant course where that year began before 1st September 2006.

(9) The standard entitlement is calculated as follows where the course begins on or after 1st September 2007 and is not a course listed in paragraph (11)—

where

• RAY is the number of standard academic years of the relevant course that remain after 31st August 2006,

• X is the number of academic years of the relevant course that remain after 31st August 2006 in respect of which the Department determined in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order that the student did not qualify for a grant for fees in the course of assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of the relevant course where that year began before 1st September 2006,

• SS is the number of academic years of study that the student has taken from and including 1st September 2006 in respect of which the student qualified for fee support (excluding any years of repeat study for compelling personal reasons) or which were bursary years or Erasmus years.

(10) The standard entitlement is calculated as follows where the course is one listed in paragraph (11)—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the designated course.

(11) The courses are—

(a) a course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education where the student has transferred to that course from a course for the Certificate in Education on or before the completion of the latter course;

(b) a course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education where the student has transferred to that course from a course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education on or before the completion of the latter course.

(12) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must allocate a grant for fees from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a grant for fees has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(13) A transferring student qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of a standard academic year of the designated course if the Department allocates a grant for fees to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

(14) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 32, 33 or 34 and may be nil.

Commencement Information

I15 Reg. 27 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students who are on end-on courses N.I.

28.—(1) An old system student who is on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (a) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2 that the student began before 1st September 2006 qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of that course in accordance with regulation 26.

(2) An old system student who is on an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (c) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2 qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of that course in accordance with regulation 26.

(3) Paragraphs (4) to (12) apply to—

(a) an old system student in respect of an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (a) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2 that the student—

(i) began on or after 1st September 2006 and is continuing on after 31st August 2010; or

(ii) begins on or after 1st September 2010;

(b) an old system student in respect of an end-on course of the kind described in paragraph (b) of the definition of “end-on course” in regulation 2.

(4) An old system student to whom this paragraph applies does not qualify for fee support in respect of a course mentioned in paragraph (3) if—

(a) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(b) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the Republic of Ireland for which he received financial support under previous regulations and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(a) and (b) an old system student qualifies for fee support in respect of a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland.

(6) An old system student to whom this paragraph applies does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a course mentioned in paragraph (3) that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(7) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a course mentioned in paragraph (3), the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(8) Subject to paragraph (9), the standard entitlement is calculated as follows—

where

• D is the greater of 3 and the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course,

• X is 1 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was less than three years and 2 where the ordinary duration of the preliminary course was three years,

• PrC is the number of academic years that the student spent on the preliminary course excluding any years of repeat study for compelling personal reasons.

(9) The standard entitlement of an old system student to whom paragraph (3)(a) applies whose course is a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the current course.

(10) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a course to which this paragraph applies, the Department must allocate a grant for fees from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a grant for fees has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(11) An old system student to whom this paragraph applies qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of a standard academic year of a course to which this paragraph applies if the Department allocates a grant for fees to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

(12) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a course to which this paragraph applies is determined in accordance with regulation 32, 33 or 34 and may be nil.

Commencement Information

I16 Reg. 28 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students who are gap year students who have not studied on a previous course N.I.

29.—(1) This regulation applies to an old system student who is a gap year student who has not studied on a previous course.

(2) An old system student to whom this regulation applies does not qualify for fee support in respect of a designated course if—

(a) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(b) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the Republic of Ireland for which he received financial support under previous regulations and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(c) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(a) and (b) an old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for fee support in respect of a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland.

(4) An old system student to whom this regulation applies does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(5) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(6) The standard entitlement is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course.

(7) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must allocate a grant for fees from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a grant for fees has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(8) An old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of a standard academic year of the designated course if the Department allocates a grant for fees to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

(9) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 32 or 33 and may be nil.

Commencement Information

I17 Reg. 29 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Old system students who are gap year students who have studied on a previous course N.I.

30.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) an old system student is a gap year student who has studied on a previous course;

(b) an old system student has transferred from a course in relation to which that student was a gap year student to another designated course in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order.

(2) An old system student to whom this regulation applies does not qualify for fee support in respect of a designated course if—

(a) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(b) the student has an honours degree from an institution in the Republic of Ireland for which he received financial support under previous regulations and the exemptions in regulation 14(1), (2) or (5) do not apply; or

(c) the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(a) and (b) an old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for fee support in respect of a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland.

(4) An old system student to whom this regulation applies does not qualify for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(5) When assessing an application for support in respect of an academic year of a designated course, the Department must determine the “standard entitlement”.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the standard entitlement is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the course,

• PC is the number of academic years that the student has spent on previous courses.

(7) The standard entitlement of an old system student whose course is a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland is calculated as follows—

where

• OD is the number of academic years that make up the ordinary duration of the current course.

(8) When assessing an application for support in connection with an academic year of a designated course, the Department must allocate a grant for fees from the standard entitlement first to the final standard academic year of the course and then to each preceding standard academic year in turn until the standard entitlement is exhausted or a grant for fees has been allocated to each standard academic year of the course.

(9) An old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of a standard academic year of the designated course if the Department allocates a grant for fees to that year when assessing the application for support for that year.

(10) In addition to the standard entitlement, an old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not a bursary year or an Erasmus year if the student failed to complete the most recent previous course because of compelling personal reasons.

(11) Where an old system student to whom this regulation applies qualifies for a grant for fees under paragraph (10), the Department must not allocate a grant for fees under paragraph (8) to the first academic year that the student takes of the designated course that is not a bursary year or an Erasmus year.

(12) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is determined in accordance with regulation 32 or 33 where the eligible student falls within paragraph (1)(a) and in accordance with regulation 32, 33 or 34 where the eligible student falls within paragraph (1)(b) and in either case the amount may be nil.

Commencement Information

I18 Reg. 30 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Availability of the grant for fees to old system students for years of repeat study N.I.

31.—(1) In addition to the standard entitlement, if the Department determines that the student is repeating an academic year of the designated course because of compelling personal reasons, an old system student qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of the year of repeat study provided that the academic year that the student is repeating was a qualifying year of study and the year of repeat study is not a bursary year.

(2) An old system student qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course that is a year of repeat study which the student is taking other than for compelling personal reasons if—

(a) the academic year which the student is repeating was a qualifying year of study;

(b) the academic year of repeat study is not a bursary year; and

(c) when the academic year of repeat study is added to the number of any other academic years of repeat study that the student has already taken (after 31^st August 2006) on the current course other than for compelling personal reasons, it does not exceed the number of additional years of support.

(3) In this regulation, the “number of additional years of support” is the number of years which make up the standard entitlement less the number of standard academic years (plus one where the student qualifies for a grant for fees under regulation 30(10)).

Commencement Information

I19 Reg. 31 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the grant for fees for a course at a publicly funded institution or a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland N.I.

32.—(1) Unless one of the cases set out in regulation 25(3) applies, the basic amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course at a publicly funded institution is the lesser of—

(a) [F40 £1,595]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(2) In the cases set out in regulation 25(3), the basic amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is the lesser of—

(a) [F41 £780]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(3) Where a contribution exceeding nil is calculated under Schedule 5, a deduction will be made from the basic amount of the grant for fees determined under paragraph (1) or (2) in accordance with regulation 89.

(4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply to designated courses at Heythrop College or at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

(5) In the case of a designated course at Heythrop College, the amount of grant for fees in respect of an academic year is the lesser of—

(a) [F42 £2,465] ; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(6) In the case of a designated course at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the amount of grant for fees in respect of an academic year is the lesser of—

(a) [F43 £5,030] ; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(7) In the case of a course in respect of an academic year at a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland, the amount of grant is an amount specified by the Department in writing.

Textual Amendments

F40 Sum in reg. 32(1)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F41 Sum in reg. 32(2)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F42 Word in reg. 32(5)(a) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), reg. 1, Sch.

F43 Word in reg. 32(6)(a) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), reg. 1, Sch.

Commencement Information

I20 Reg. 32 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the grant for fees for a course that is provided at a private institution on behalf of a publicly funded institution N.I.

33.—(1) The basic amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year at a private institution is the lesser of [F44 £1,595] and the fees payable by the student in connection with that year if—

(a) the designated course began on or after 1st September 2001;

(b) the designated course is provided on behalf of a publicly funded institution; and

(c) none of the cases in regulation 25(3) applies.

(2) The amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year at a private institution is the lesser of [F45 £780] and the fees payable by the student in connection with that year if—

(a) the designated course began on or after 1st September 2001;

(b) the designated course is provided on behalf of a publicly funded institution; and

(c) one or more of the cases in regulation 25(3) applies.

(3) Where a contribution exceeding nil is calculated under Schedule 5, a deduction will be made from the basic amount of the grant for fees determined under paragraph (1) or (2) in accordance with regulation 89.

Textual Amendments

F44 Sum in reg. 33(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

F45 Sum in reg. 33(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

Commencement Information

I21 Reg. 33 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the grant for fees for a course at a private institution N.I.

34.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year of a designated course at a private institution where regulation 33 does not apply including courses or academic years for the degrees of Bachelor of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours) or the Diploma in Theology of the Queen’s University of Belfast, undertaken at the Union Theological College, the Edgehill College, the Irish Baptist College, Belfast or the Belfast Bible College is the lesser of—

(a) [F46 £1,285] ; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with that year.

(2) In the case of a designated course at the University of Buckingham, the amount of the grant for fees in respect of an academic year is [F47 £3,275] .

Textual Amendments

F46 Word in reg. 34(1)(a) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), reg. 1, Sch.

F47 Word in reg. 34(2) substituted (21.3.2012) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 (S.R. 2012/62), reg. 1, Sch.

Commencement Information

I22 Reg. 34 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

CHAPTER 5 N.I. FEE CONTRIBUTION LOANS FOR OLD SYSTEM STUDENTS

Availability of fee contribution loans to old system students N.I.

35.  An old system student, other than a student undertaking a course at a relevant institution of higher education in the Republic of Ireland, or whose course is a course leading to a degree in social work at an educational institution in Northern Ireland qualifies for a fee contribution loan in respect of an academic year of a designated course if—

(a) the student qualifies for a grant for fees in respect of that year or would have qualified if the student had applied for the grant (even if the amount is or would have been nil); and

(b) the designated course is provided by or on behalf of an institution that was publicly funded as at 1st August 2005.

Commencement Information

I23 Reg. 35 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Amount of the fee contribution loan N.I.

36.—(1) Where an old system student applies for a grant for fees and a fee contribution loan, the amount of the fee contribution loan in respect of an academic year of the designated course is the amount for which the student applies not exceeding the difference between the basic amount of the grant determined under regulation 32 or 33 and the amount of the grant that is payable after the application of the contribution in accordance with regulation 89.

(2) Where the only fee support for which an old system student applies is a fee contribution loan, the maximum amount for which the student may apply in respect of an academic year is the lesser of—

(a) [F48 £1,595] or, if any of the cases set out in regulation 25(3) apply, [F48 £780]; and

(b) the fees payable by the student in connection with the academic year.

(3) An old system student may apply to borrow an additional amount of fee contribution loan where—

(a) the Department determines that the maximum amount of fee contribution loan should be increased (including an increase from nil) as a result of a reassessment of the student’s contribution or otherwise; and

(b) the Department considers that the increase in the maximum amount does not result from the old system student—

(i) failing to provide information promptly which might affect the student’s ability to qualify for a grant for fees or fee contribution loan or the amount of grant for fees or fee contribution loan for which the student qualifies; or

(ii) providing information which is inaccurate in any material particular.

(4) The additional amount under paragraph (3) is an amount which when added to the amount already applied for does not exceed the increased maximum.

(5) Where an old system student (“A”) has applied for a fee contribution loan of less than the maximum amount to which A is entitled, A may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for, does not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in A’s case.

Textual Amendments

F48 Sum in reg. 36(2)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/43), regs. 1(3), 15, Sch.

Commencement Information

I24 Reg. 36 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

(1)

S.I. 2005/1116 (N.I. 5)