(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations, which come into operation on 1st August 1999, amend the Education (Student Loans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“the principal Regulations”). The principal Regulations govern loans made under the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990, which are mortgage style repayment loans. Such loans are for the most part made to students who began their courses before 1st August 1998. Loans under the Student Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, repayable through the tax system, are made to students beginning their courses on or after 1st August 1998.
These amending Regulations increase the maximum amounts which may be lent in relation to an academic year in line with inflation (regulation 3).
They provide for loans to continue to be available, and not to become repayable, when a student transfers to another designated course at another institution, as well as when he transfers to such a course at the same institution (regulation 4(a)).
They also clarify the means of calculating interest by reference to the annual percentage rate of charge (regulation 4(b)).