Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Applications for loans

21.—(1) An eligible student who is eligible for a loan for living costs in respect of an academic year shall apply for such a loan not exceeding the maximum amount applicable in his case, by completing and submitting to the Department an application in such form as it may require not later than one month before the end of that year.

(2) The completed form shall include among other things the following particulars –

(a) the student’s United Kingdom national insurance number, unless he does not have one;

(b) his most recent student loan account number, if any; and

(c) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two persons who know him.

(3) The student shall sign a declaration on the application form that –

(a) the particulars given in the application form are correct to the best of his knowledge and belief;

(b) he will notify the Department (or if any person is exercising functions in relation to his application by virtue of arrangements under Article 4 (3) of the Order he will notify that person) of any change in those particulars; and

(c) he will repay any amount lent to him, together with interest and applicable charges and penalties, in accordance with the Order and Regulations made thereunder from time to time.

(4) In any case where –

(a) the Department determines that the maximum amount of loan which has been notified to an eligible student in relation to an academic year 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 eligible student –

(i) failing to provide information promptly which might affect his eligibility for a loan or the amount of loan for which he is eligible, or

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

he may apply to borrow an additional amount which, when added to the amount already applied for shall not exceed the increased maximum.

(5) An application under paragraph (4) shall be made by completing and submitting to the Department an application in such form as it may require not later than one month before the end of the academic year or one month after the date the student received notice of the increased maximum amount, whichever is the later.

(6) The student shall sign a declaration on the application form in the terms set out in paragraph (3).

(7) Where an eligible student has applied for a loan of less than the maximum amount to which he is entitled in relation to the academic year under the preceding paragraphs he may apply to borrow an additional amount, which when added to the amount already applied for shall not exceed the relevant maximum applicable in his case.

(8) An application under paragraph (7) shall be made by completing and submitting to the Department an application in such form as it may require not later than one month before the end of the academic year.

(9) The student shall sign a declaration on the application form in the terms set out in paragraph (3).