The Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2018

CHAPTER 2 E+W ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 1 E+W Eligible students

Eligible students E+W

9.— [F1 (1) A person is an eligible student in connection with a designated course that the person is undertaking if—

(a) the person falls within one of the categories set out—

(i) in paragraph 1, 2, 2ZA, 2ZB, [F2 2ZC,] 3, 4A, 5A, 6A, 6B, [F3 6BA,] [F4 6BB,] 6C, 6D, 7A or 8A of Schedule 2, or

(ii) in paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 of Schedule 2 where paragraph (1A) applies,

and none of the exceptions in regulation 10 apply to the person, or

(b) the person’s circumstances fall within one of the cases set out in regulation 11.

(1A) This paragraph applies where—

(a) in connection with a designated course beginning before 1 August 2021 the Welsh Ministers—

(i) in assessing an application for support by a person (“A”) determined that A fell within one of the categories set out in paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 of Schedule 2 in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before 1 August 2021, or

(ii) would have so determined had A made an application for support in accordance with these Regulations in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before that date, and

(b) A applies for support in connection with—

(i) that course,

(ii) an end-on course following on from that course, or

(iii) a designated course to which A’s status as an eligible student is transferred in accordance with these Regulations.]

(2) A person may, at any given time, be an eligible student only in connection with one designated course.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 9(1)(1A) substituted for reg. 9(1) (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 115

F2 Word in reg. 9(1)(a)(i) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 3 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Ukrainian Nationals and Family Members) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/764), regs. 2, 37

F3 Word in reg. 9(1)(a)(i) inserted (31.12.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1365), regs. 1(2), 39

F4 Word in reg. 9(1)(a)(i) inserted (22.2.2023) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/87), regs. 1(2), 38 (with reg. 2)

Eligible students - exceptions E+W

10.—(1) A person (“P”) is not an eligible student if any of the following exceptions applies—

Exception 1

Where the designated course is a full-time course, an award within the meaning of the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 2003 M1 has been bestowed on P in respect of the course.

Exception 2

Where the designated course is a full-time course, P is eligible for a loan in relation to an academic year of the designated course under the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 M2 .

Exception 3

In respect of P undertaking the designated course, P has been bestowed or paid—

[F5 (a) where the course is a full-time course, a healthcare bursary, the amount of which is not calculated by reference to P’s income (unless it is a bursary grant for living costs);]

[F6 (b) where the course is a part-time course, a healthcare bursary (whether or not calculated by reference to P’s income).]

Exception 4

P is in breach of an obligation to repay a student loan.

Exception 5

P has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified an agreement for a student loan made with P when P was under 18.

Exception 6

The Welsh Ministers think that P's conduct is such that P is not fit to receive support.

Exception 7

P is a prisoner.

But P may be an eligible student despite being a prisoner if—

(a) P's application for support is in respect of the academic year during which P enters or is released from prison,

(b) P's present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(c) P has been authorised by the prison Governor or Director or other appropriate authority to study the present course and P's earliest release date is within 6 years of the first day of the first academic year of the course.

(2) In Exception 3, “bursary grant for living costs” is a grant for living costs made available under the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme.

(3) In Exceptions 4 and 5, “student loan” means a loan made under—

(a) the Education (Student Loans) Act 1990 M3 ;

(b) the Education (Scotland) Act 1980;

(c) the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 M4 ;

(d) the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 M5 ;

(e) regulations made under any of those Acts or Orders;

(f) these Regulations or any other regulations made under the 1998 Act.

(4) In these Regulations—

“healthcare bursary” (“bwrsari iechyd”) means a bursary or award of similar description under—

(a)

section 63(6) of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 M6 , but not a payment made out of the Learning Support Fund;

(b)

Article 44 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 M7 ;

“Learning Support Fund” (“Cronfa Cymorth Dysgu”) means the fund made available by NHS England to certain students in respect of qualifying healthcare courses;

F7 ...

[F8 Exception 8

The designated course begins on or after 1 January 2028 and the only paragraph or paragraphs in Schedule 2 into which P falls is one or more of paragraphs 5A, 6B [F9 , 6BA], or 6D.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in reg. 10(1) substituted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 42(a)(i)

F6 Words in reg. 10(1) substituted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 42(a)(ii)

F7 Words in reg. 10(4) omitted (4.1.2024) by virtue of The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 42(b)

F8 Words in reg. 10(1) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 116

F9 Word in reg. 10(1) inserted (31.12.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1365), regs. 1(2), 40

Marginal Citations

M1 S.I. 2003/1994, amended by SI 2004/1038, S.I. 2004/1792, S.I. 2005/2083, S.I. 2005/3137, S.I. 2005/3482, S.I. 2006/930, S.I. 2007/1629, S.I. 2008/1477, S.I. 2010/1142 (W.101), S.I. 2010/1172, S.I. 2011/1043, S.I. 2014/107, S.I. 2016/211 and the Education Act 2005 section 74.

M2 S.I. 1990/1506 (N.I. 11), amended by S.I. 1996/274 (N.I.1), Article 43 and Schedule 5 Part II, S.I. 1996/1918 (N.I. 15), Article 3 and the Schedule and S.I. 1998/258 (N.I. 1), Articles 3 to 6 and revoked, with savings, by SR (NI) 1998 No 306.

M3 1990 c. 6; repealed by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), Schedule 4, with savings see the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provisions) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/2004) (C. 46).

M4 S.I. 1990/1506 (N.I. 11) amended by S.I. 1996/274 (N.I. 1), Article 43 and Schedule 5 Part II, S.I. 1996/1918 (N.I. 15), Article 3 and the Schedule and S.I. 1998/258 (N.I. 1), Articles 3 to 6 and revoked, with savings, by SR (NI) 1998 No 306.

M5 S.I. 1998/1760 (N.I. 14).

M6 1968 c.46.

M7 S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

Eligible students continuing on a course E+W

11.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to a person (“P”) if—

(a) P's circumstances fall within one of the cases in paragraph (3), and

(b) Exception 3 in Regulation 10 does not apply in respect of the year for which P is applying for support.

(2) Where this paragraph applies, P is an eligible student and accordingly—

(a) P need not fall within any of the categories of student set out in Schedule 2, and

(b) none of the exceptions set out in Regulation 10 (other than Exception 3) prevent P from being an eligible student.

(3) The cases are—

(a) Case 1

(a) P was an eligible student in connection with an earlier academic year of P's present course, and

(b) P was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of that course.

(a) Case 2

(a) P's present course is an end-on course,

(b) P was an eligible student in connection with the course (the “earlier course”) in relation to which P's present course is an end-on course,

(c) P's period of eligibility for the earlier course ended only because P had completed that earlier course, and

(d) P was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the earlier course.

(a) Case 3

(a) P was an eligible student in connection with a designated course (the “earlier course”) other than the present course,

(b) P's status as an eligible student in connection with the earlier course has been transferred to the present course (see Section 5), and

(c) P was ordinarily resident in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the earlier course.

SECTION 2 E+W Period of eligibility

Period of eligibility – general rule E+W

12.—(1) A student's status as an eligible student in connection with a designated course is retained until the end of the student's period of eligibility unless terminated in accordance with regulation [F10 19, 20, 22, 22A, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, [F11 23D, [F12 23E, 23F or 23G]]].

(2) A student's period of eligibility ends at the end of the academic year in which the student completes the designated course.

(3) But if—

(a) the designated course is a full-time or sandwich course, and

(b) regulation 14, 15 or 16 applies to the student,

the student's period of eligibility for the course is restricted to the maximum period of eligibility specified in the applicable regulation for the category of support specified in that regulation.

(4) Where a student's eligibility for support is restricted under regulation 14, 15 or 16 so that the number of academic years in respect of which the category of support specified in the regulation in question is available is less than the ordinary duration of the present course, the category of support so specified is available in respect of the latest academic years of the course.

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in reg. 12(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 117

F11 Words in reg. 12(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/79), regs. 1(2), 34

F12 Words in reg. 12(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 3 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Ukrainian Nationals and Family Members) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/764), regs. 2, 38

Part-time courses – no eligibility for years of low intensity study E+W

13.  Where an eligible student is undertaking a part-time course, the student is not eligible for support under these Regulations in respect of an academic year where the intensity of study for that year is less than 25% (see paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 for how to calculate the intensity of study for an academic year).

Maximum period of eligibility – tuition fee loans and grants for new students E+W

14.—(1) This regulation applies to an eligible student who—

(a) is undertaking a full-time or sandwich course, and

(b) has not undertaken a previous course.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the maximum period of eligibility for a tuition fee loan, a base grant, a maintenance grant [F13 or] a grant for travel F14 ... is the period calculated as follows—

• Ordinary duration of the present course.

• Plus

• Number of academic years repeated by the eligible student for compelling personal reasons.

• Plus

• One year.

Textual Amendments

F13 Word in reg. 14(2) substituted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 3(a)

F14 Words in reg. 14(2) omitted (30.7.2018) by virtue of The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 3(b)

Maximum period of eligibility – tuition fee loans and specified grants for students who undertook a previous course E+W

15.—(1) This regulation applies to an eligible student who—

(a) is undertaking a full-time or sandwich course, and

(b) has undertaken a previous course.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the maximum period of eligibility for a tuition fee loan, a base grant, a maintenance grant or a grant for travel is the period calculated as follows—

• Ordinary duration of the present course.

• Plus

• Number of academic years repeated by the eligible student for compelling personal reasons.

• Plus

• One year.

• Less

• Number of academic years undertaken by the eligible student on the previous course or courses (if the student has undertaken more than one previous course).

• But no deduction is to be made if the student is a teacher training student or is undertaking an accelerated graduate entry course.

(3) If the eligible student did not successfully complete the latest previous course for compelling personal reasons—

(a) one additional year is to be added to the calculation made under paragraph (2), and

(b) a further additional year may be added if the Welsh Ministers think it appropriate to do so having regard to those reasons.

(4) If the Welsh Ministers determine that regulation 18 applies to a student, they may add one or more additional years to the calculation made under paragraph (2) as they think appropriate.

(5) Where this regulation and regulation 16 apply to an eligible student, the student's maximum period of eligibility for a—

(a) tuition fee loan,

(b) base grant,

(c) maintenance grant, or

(d) grant for travel.

is to be calculated in accordance with regulation 16.

(6) In paragraph (2), “teacher training student” means a student who is not a qualified teacher undertaking a full-time course for the initial training of teachers the duration of which is no more than 2 years.

Maximum period of eligibility – tuition fee loans and grants for certain continuing students E+W

16.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a) an eligible student whose present course is a full-time end-on course (the course in relation to which the present course is an end-on course being referred to in paragraph (2) as the “preliminary course”);

(b) an eligible student—

[F15 (i) who has completed a relevant course (the “preliminary course”),]

(ii) whose present course is 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 preliminary course, and

(iii) who has not undertaken a full-time first degree course after the preliminary course and before the present course;

(c) an eligible student—

(i) who has completed a full-time foundation degree course [F16 or ordinary degree course] (the “preliminary course”),

(ii) whose present course is a full-time honours degree course that the student did not begin immediately after the preliminary course, and

(iii) who has not undertaken a full-time first degree course after the preliminary course and before the present course.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the maximum period of eligibility for a tuition fee loan, a base grant, a maintenance grant [F17 or], a grant for travel F18 ... is the period calculated as follows—

• The greater of three years or the ordinary duration of the present course.

• Plus

• The greater of one year or the ordinary duration minus one year of the preliminary course (or preliminary courses in total if the student completed more than one course which is to be treated as a preliminary course).

• Less

• Number of academic years undertaken by the eligible student on the preliminary course (or preliminary courses) excluding years repeated by the eligible student for compelling personal reasons.

(3) If the Welsh Ministers determine that regulation 18 applies to a student, they may add one or more additional years to the calculation made under paragraph (2) as they think appropriate.

[F19 (4) In paragraph (1)(b)(i), “relevant course” means a full-time course for the—

(a) Diploma of Higher Education,

(b) Certificate of Higher Education, or

(c) Higher National Diploma or Higher National Certificate of either the Business and Technology Education Council or the Scottish Qualification Authority.]

Textual Amendments

F15 Reg. 16(1)(b)(i) substituted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 4(a)

F16 Words in reg. 16(1)(c)(i) inserted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 4(b)

F17 Word in reg. 16(2) substituted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 4(c)(i)

F18 Words in reg. 16(2) omitted (30.7.2018) by virtue of The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 4(c)(ii)

F19 Reg. 16(4) inserted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 4(d)

Maximum period of eligibility – interpretation E+W

17.—(1) For the purposes of regulations 12 and 14 to 16, the “ordinary duration” of a course is the number of academic years ordinarily required to complete it.

(2) For the purposes of calculating—

(a) a student's maximum period of eligibility under regulation 14(2), 15(2) or 16(2), or

(b) whether a student's period of eligibility has ended,

any part-year undertaken by the student is to be counted as a whole academic year.

(3) In regulations 14 and 15, “previous course” means a course which—

(a) is—

(i) a full time higher education course, or

(ii) a part-time course for the initial training of teachers,

that the student began to undertake before the present course,

(b) meets one of the conditions set out in paragraph (4), and

(c) is not excluded from being a previous course by virtue of paragraph (5), (6) or (7).

(4) The conditions are—

Condition 1

The course is provided by an institution in the United Kingdom which was a recognised educational institution for some or all of the academic years during which the student undertook the course.

Condition 2

The course is one in relation to which—

(a) a scholarship, exhibition, bursary, grant, allowance or award of any description was paid in respect of the student undertaking the course to defray fees, and

(b) the payment was provided by a publicly funded institution.

(5) A course which falls within paragraph (3)(a) and (b) is nevertheless not a previous course if—

(a) the present course is a full-time course for the initial training of teachers of no more than two years duration, and

(b) the student is not a qualified teacher.

(6) A course for the Certificate in Education which falls within paragraph (3)(a) and (b) is nevertheless not a previous course if—

(a) the present course is a course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education, and

(b) the student—

(i) transferred to the present course from the course for the Certificate in Education before the completion of that course, or

(ii) began the present course on completion of the course for the Certificate in Education.

(7) A course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education is not a previous course if—

(a) the present course is a course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education, and

(b) the student—

(i) transferred to the present course from the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education before the completion of that course, or

(ii) began the present course on completion of the course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education.

Extension of maximum period where student receives incorrect notification E+W

18.—(1) This regulation applies to an eligible student (“P”)—

(a) whose maximum period of eligibility is to be calculated in accordance with regulation 15 or 16,

(b) who has provided all the information required by the Welsh Ministers in relation to—

(i) a previous course undertaken by P, and

(ii) any qualifications held by P, and

(c) who has received a notification from the Welsh Ministers stating an incorrect maximum period of eligibility.

(2) But this regulation does not apply if the notification is incorrect because the information provided by P was materially inaccurate.

SECTION 3 E+W Termination of eligibility

Early termination of eligibility E+W

19.—(1) An eligible student's (“P's”) period of eligibility terminates at the end of the day on which—

(a) P withdraws from P's designated course and the Welsh Ministers do not transfer P's status as an eligible student under regulation 28, or

(b) P abandons or is expelled from P's designated course.

(2) Where—

(a) an eligible student's (“P's”) designated course is a distance learning course, and

(b) P undertakes the course outside the United Kingdom,

P's period of eligibility terminates at the beginning of the first day on which P undertakes the course outside the United Kingdom.

[F20 (3) But paragraph (2) does not apply if P is undertaking a distance learning course outside the United Kingdom because—

(a) P or a close relative of P is serving as a member of the armed forces, or

(b) P is unable to be in the United Kingdom for a reason related to coronavirus.]

Textual Amendments

F20 Reg. 19(3) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/708), regs. 1(2), 5

Misconduct and failure to provide accurate information E+W

20.—(1) The Welsh Ministers may terminate an eligible student's period of eligibility if they are satisfied that the student's conduct is such that the student is no longer fit to receive support.

(2) Paragraph (3) applies if the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible student—

(a) has failed to comply with a requirement to provide information or documentation under these Regulations, or

(b) has provided information or documentation which was materially inaccurate.

(3) Where this paragraph applies, the Welsh Ministers may—

(a) terminate the student's period of eligibility;

(b) determine that the student does not qualify for a particular category of support or amount of such support.

Reinstatement of eligibility after termination E+W

21.—(1) Where a student's period of eligibility terminates under regulation 19 or 20 during the academic year in which the student completes the present course, the Welsh Ministers may reinstate the student's period of eligibility for such period as they think appropriate.

(2) But a reinstated period of eligibility may not extend beyond the end of the maximum period of eligibility calculated in accordance with Section 2 of this Chapter.

Refugees who cease to have leave to remain E+W

22.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was a Category 2 eligible student (see Schedule 2) in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P's status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the refugee status of—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person whose status as a refugee meant that P was a Category 2 eligible student,

has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002) M8 .

(2) Where this regulation applies, P's status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.

(3) In this regulation, “refugee” has the meaning given by paragraph 11 of Schedule 2.

Marginal Citations

M8 2002 c.41. Section 104 was amended by the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Act 2004 (c. 19), Schedules 2 and 4, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), section 9, S.I. 2010/21, the Immigration Act 2014 (c. 22), Schedule 9.

[F21 Persons who cease to have stateless leave E+W

22A.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was [F22 an eligible student as a result of being a person granted stateless leave] (see Schedule 2) in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full time-course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person, who, as a result of being a person granted stateless leave, caused P to be [F23 an eligible student],

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no application for administrative review in accordance with the immigration rules is pending.

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.]

Textual Amendments

F21 Reg. 22A inserted (30.7.2018) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/814), regs. 1(2), 5

F22 Words in reg. 22A(1)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 118(a)

F23 Words in reg. 22A(1)(b)(ii) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 118(b)

Other persons who cease to have leave to enter or remain E+W

23.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was a [F24 Category 3 eligible student or an eligible student on grounds of humanitarian protection under paragraph 339C of the immigration rules (see Schedule 2)] in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P's status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person who, as a result of having leave to enter or remain, caused P to be a category 3 eligible student [F25 or an eligible student on grounds of humanitarian protection under paragraph 339C of the immigration rules],

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002).

(2) Where this regulation applies, P's status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.

Textual Amendments

F24 Words in reg. 23(1)(a) substituted (28.1.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Ordinary Residence) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/9), regs. 1(2), 42(a)

F25 Words in reg. 23(1)(b)(ii) inserted (28.1.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Ordinary Residence) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/9), regs. 1(2), 42(b)

[F26 Persons who cease to have section 67 leave to remain E+W

23A.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was [F27 an eligible student as a result of being a person with section 67 leave to remain] (see Schedule 2) in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person who, as a result of having section 67 leave to remain, caused P to be [F28 an eligible student],

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002).

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.]

Textual Amendments

F26 Reg. 23A inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/235), regs. 1(3)(a), 43

F27 Words in reg. 23A(1)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 119(a)

F28 Words in reg. 23A(1)(b)(ii) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 119(b)

[F29 Persons who cease to have Calais leave E+W

23B.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was an eligible student as a result of being a person with Calais leave (see Schedule 2, paragraph 2ZA) in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which P is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted.

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.

Textual Amendments

F29 Regs. 23B-23E inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 120

Persons who cease to have leave to remain as a protected partner E+W

23C.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) a person (“P”) was an eligible student as a result of being a person granted leave to remain as a protected partner—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person who, as a result of being a person granted leave to remain as a protected partner, caused P to be an eligible student,

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain as been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002).

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.

Textual Amendments

F29 Regs. 23B-23E inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 120

Persons who cease to have leave to remain under residence scheme immigration rules E+W

23D.— (1) This regulation applies where—

(a) by virtue of being a person with protected rights with limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, a person (“P”) was an eligible student in connection with an application for support for—

(i) an earlier year of the current course,

(ii) a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end on course, or

(iii) a course from which P’s status has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

(b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, P no longer has extant limited leave to enter or remain granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, and no further leave to enter or remain has been granted under those rules.

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.

Textual Amendments

F29 Regs. 23B-23E inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 120

23E.   Where— E+W

(a) the Welsh Ministers have determined that, by virtue of—

(i) falling within [F30 paragraph (1)(a) F31 ... (iv) or (v)] of the definition of “person with protected rights”, or

(ii) meeting the conditions in paragraph 1(2)(a) F32 ... (iv) of Schedule 2,

a person (“P”) is an eligible student in connection with an application for support for an academic year of a designated course, and

(b) as at the day before the first day of the academic year, P is not a person with protected rights,

P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.]

Textual Amendments

F29 Regs. 23B-23E inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/481), regs. 1(2), 120

F30 Words in reg. 23E(a)(i) substituted (31.12.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1365), regs. 1(2), 34

F31 Word in reg. 23E(a)(i) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/79), regs. 1(2), 53(a)

F32 Words in reg. 23E(a)(ii) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/79), regs. 1(2), 53(b)

[F33 23F.— (1) This regulation applies where— E+W

(a) a person (“P”) was an eligible student as a result of being a person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen (see Schedule 2, paragraph 2ZA) [F34 or the spouse, civil partner, child or stepchild of such a person] in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

[F35 (b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person who, as a result of being a person with leave to enter or remain as a relevant Afghan citizen, caused P to be an eligible student,

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending.]

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.]

Textual Amendments

F33 Reg. 23F inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/79), regs. 1(2), 35

F34 Words in reg. 23F(1)(a) inserted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 34(a) (with regs. 2, 80(2))

F35 Reg. 23F(1)(b) substituted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 34(b) (with regs. 2, 80(2))

[F36 23G.— (1) This regulation applies where— E+W

(a) a person (“P”) was an eligible student as a result of being a protected Ukrainian national (see Schedule 2, paragraph 2ZC) [F37 or the spouse, civil partner, child or stepchild of such a person] in connection with an application for support—

(i) for an earlier year of the present course,

(ii) for a full-time course in relation to which the present course is a full-time end-on course, or

(iii) for a course from which P’s status as an eligible student has been transferred to the present course under regulation 28 or paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, and

[F38 (b) as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support, the period for which—

(i) P, or

(ii) the person who, as a result of being a person granted leave to remain as a protected Ukrainian national, caused P to be an eligible student,

is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted.]

(2) Where this regulation applies, P’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support.]

Textual Amendments

F36 Reg. 23G inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 3 of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Finance) (Ukrainian Nationals and Family Members) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/764), regs. 2, 39

F37 Words in reg. 23G(1)(a) inserted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 38(a) (with reg. 2)

F38 Reg. 23G(1)(b) substituted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 38(b) (with reg. 2)

[F39 23H.   Regulations 22, 22A, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F or 23G do not apply where as at the end of the day before the first day of the academic year in respect of which P is applying for support— E+W

(a) P, or

(b) the person who, as a result of their immigration status, caused P to be an eligible student,

is a British or Irish citizen.]

Textual Amendments

F39 Reg. 23H inserted (6.7.2023) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/633), regs. 1(2), 15

SECTION 4 E+W Previous study

Full-time students – restrictions on support for honours graduates E+W

24.—(1) If an eligible student undertaking a full-time course has attained an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom (an “honours graduate”) the student does not qualify for a tuition fee loan, base grant, maintenance grant or maintenance loan under these Regulations unless the student—

(a) falls within one of the Cases set out in paragraph (2), and

(b) in each Case, satisfies the particular qualifying conditions relating to the support in question.

(2) The Cases are—

Case 1

An honours graduate may qualify for support under these Regulations if the present course is—

(a) a course for the initial training of teachers of no more than two years duration, and the graduate is not a qualified teacher, or

(b) an accelerated graduate entry course.

Case 2

An honours graduate may qualify for a maintenance loan if any of the following applies—

(a) the present course leads to a qualification as a social worker, medical doctor, dentist, veterinary surgeon or architect;

[F40 (b) the graduate is to receive any payment under a healthcare bursary, the amount of which is calculated by reference to the graduate’s income;]

(c) the present course is a course for the initial training of teachers.

Case 3

Despite paragraph (1), if—

(a) the present course is considered to be a single course by virtue of regulation 6(3) and (4), and

(b) the course leads to an honours degree from an institution in the United Kingdom being conferred on the eligible student before the final degree or equivalent qualification,

the conferring of that honours degree does not prevent the student from qualifying for support under these Regulations in respect of any part of that single course.

Case 4

Regulation 26 applies.

Textual Amendments

F40 Words in reg. 24(2) substituted (4.1.2024) by The Education (Student Finance) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1349), regs. 1(2), 43

Part-time students – restrictions on support for graduates E+W

25.—(1) If an eligible student undertaking a part-time course has attained a first degree from an institution in the United Kingdom (a “graduate”) the student does not qualify for support under these Regulations other than a disabled student's grant unless the student falls within one of the Cases set out in paragraph (2).

(2) The Cases are—

Case 1

The first degree—

(a) was not an honours degree, and

(b) was awarded to the graduate on completion of the modules, examinations or other forms of assessment required for that first degree,

and the graduate is undertaking the present course so as to obtain an honours degree on completion of the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment (whether or not the graduate continues the course at the same institution from which the first degree was awarded).

Case 2

The present course is a course for the initial training of teachers of no more than four years duration and the graduate is not a qualified teacher.

[F41 Case 3

The present course leads to an honours degree and is—

(a) concerned with the study of the history, grammar and use of Welsh,

(b) a course whose code and label under the Higher Education Classification of Subjects are listed in Schedule 5A, or

(c) listed in the Higher Education Classification of Subjects in one of the Common Aggregation Hierarchy groups in Column 1 of Table A1 except for those subjects whose code and label under the Higher Education Classification of Subjects are specified in the corresponding entry in Column 2.

Table A1

Column 1	Column 2
Common Aggregation Hierarchy groups	Code and label of Excluded subjects
Subjects allied to medicine (CAH02)
Biological and sport sciences (CAH03)
Psychology (CAH04)
Veterinary sciences (CAH05)
Agriculture, food and related studies (CAH06)
Physical sciences (CAH07)	(100392) Applied science (100390) General science (100391) Natural sciences
Mathematical sciences (CAH09)
Engineering and technology (CAH10)
Computing (CAH11)]

Case 4

Regulation 26 applies.

[F42 (3) In Case 3, the “Common Aggregation Hierarchy” means version 1.3.3 of the Common Aggregation Hierarchy approved by the Higher Education Statistics Agency Data Landscape Steering Group and “the Higher Education Classification of Subjects” means the Higher Education Classification of Subjects maintained by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service and the Higher Education Statistics Agency.]

Textual Amendments

F41 Words in reg. 25(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/73), regs. 1(2), 45(a)

F42 Reg. 25(3) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/73), regs. 1(2), 45(b)

Restrictions lifted where incorrect notification received E+W

26.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) an honours graduate within the meaning of regulation 24 or a graduate within the meaning of regulation 25 (“G”) has provided all the information required by the Welsh Ministers in relation to an honours degree or, as the case may be, a first degree, previously attained, and

(b) G receives notification from the Welsh Ministers incorrectly stating that G qualifies for support under these Regulations.

(2) Where this regulation applies, G may qualify for the support specified in the notification for such period as the Welsh Ministers think appropriate.

(3) But this regulation does not apply if the notification is incorrect because the information provided by G was materially inaccurate.

Further restriction on support for part-time students E+W

27.—(1) An eligible student undertaking a part-time course does not qualify for support under these Regulations other than a disabled student's grant if the student—

(a) has undertaken one or more part-time courses for an aggregate of at least—

(i) 8 academic years (where that course or the earliest of those courses began before 1 September 2014), or

(ii) 16 academic years (where that course or the earliest of those courses began on or after 1 September 2014), and

(b) has received relevant support in respect of at least 8 or, as the case may be, 16 of those academic years of the part-time course or courses.

(2) In paragraph (1)(b), “relevant support” means—

(a) a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure made in respect of an academic year—

(i) under these Regulations or any other regulations made under section 22 of the 1998 Act, or

(ii) under regulations made under Articles 3 and 8(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 M9 ;

(b) a loan made in respect of an academic year under regulations made under sections 73(f), 73B and 74(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 M10 .

Marginal Citations

M9 S.I.1998/1760 (N.I. 14) to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.

M10 1980 c.44; section 73B was inserted by section 29(2) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c.30) and was amended by the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 6), Schedule 6 to the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c.1), section 34(1) of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 3) and Schedule 8 to the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 21).

SECTION 5 E+W Transfers and conversions

Transfer of status E+W

28.—(1) Where an eligible student transfers from a designated course (in this Section, the “old course”) to another designated course (in this Section, the “new course”), the Welsh Ministers must transfer the student's status as an eligible student to the new course if—

(a) they receive a request from the student to do so,

(b) they are satisfied that one of the grounds of transfer applies (see paragraph (2)), and

(c) the student's period of eligibility has not ended or been terminated.

(2) The grounds of transfer are—

First ground

The eligible student ceases the old course and undertakes the new course at the same institution.

Including—

(a) where the old course is not a compressed degree course, undertaking the same course as a compressed degree course, or

(b) where the old course is a compressed degree course, undertaking the same course on a non-compressed basis.

Second ground

The eligible student undertakes the new course at another institution.

Third ground

After commencing a course for the Certificate in Education, the eligible student is, on or before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for the degree (including an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education.

Fourth ground

After commencing a course for the degree (other than an honours degree) of Bachelor of Education, the eligible student is, on or before completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for the honours degree of Bachelor of Education.

Fifth ground

After commencing a course for a first degree (other than an honours degree) the eligible student is, before the completion of that course, admitted to a designated course for an honours degree in the same subject at the same institution.

Effect of transfer – tuition fee loans E+W

29.  Where the Welsh Ministers transfer an eligible student's status under regulation 28 during an academic year, the amount of tuition fee loan payable in respect of that academic year is to be determined by the Welsh Ministers as follows—

Step 1

Calculate, in accordance with Part 6, the amounts of tuition fee loan that would have been payable in respect of—

(a) the old course, and

(b) the new course,

for the whole academic year.

Step 2

Reduce those amounts by such proportion as the Welsh Ministers think appropriate having regard to—

(a) the day on which the transfer occurs, and

(b) the need to ensure that no amount is payable in respect of both courses for the same period.

Effect of transfer – grants and maintenance loans E+W

30.—(1) This regulation applies where the Welsh Ministers transfer an eligible student's status under regulation 28 during an academic year.

(2) If regulation 31 applies to the transfer, the total amount of any grants and maintenance loan payable to the eligible student for the academic year must be reassessed in accordance with that regulation.

(3) If regulation 31 does not apply to the transfer—

(a) the Welsh Ministers may re-assess the amount of any grants and maintenance loan payable to the eligible student for the academic year, but

(b) if no re-assessment is made, the total amount of any grants and maintenance loan payable to the eligible student is the amount which the Welsh Ministers assessed as the amount payable to the student for the academic year in respect of the old course.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies where the transfer occurs after the Welsh Ministers have assessed the amount of any grants or maintenance loan payable to the eligible student for the academic year in respect of the old course but before the student completes that year.

(5) Where this paragraph applies, the eligible student may not apply in respect of the academic year of the new course for another grant or loan of a kind for which the student has already applied in respect of the academic year of the old course (unless specifically permitted to do so by these Regulations).

(6) Where, immediately before the transfer, the eligible student—

(a) was eligible to apply for a maintenance loan for the academic year of the old course, and

(b) had not applied for the maximum amount for which the student was entitled,

paragraph (5) does not prevent the student from applying for an additional amount of loan (whether or not a reassessment is made under this regulation or regulation 31).

(7) Where an eligible student has applied for a disabled student's grant for the academic year in which the transfer occurs, paragraph (5) does not prevent the student from making a further such application—

(a) for a purpose for which the student has not already applied, or

(b) for an additional amount in respect of a purpose for the which the student has already applied.

Transfers involving conversions between part-time and full-time study E+W

31.—(1) This regulation applies where, in relation to a transfer under regulation 28—

(a) the old course is a full-time course and the new course is a part-time course, or

(b) the old course is a part-time course and the new course is a full-time course.

(2) Where this regulation applies, the total amount of any grants and maintenance loan payable to the eligible student for the academic year is to be reassessed by the Welsh Ministers as follows—

Step 1

Calculate, in accordance with Parts 7 to 11, the amounts of any grants and maintenance loan that would have been payable in respect of—

(a) the old course, and

(b) the new course,

for the whole academic year.

Step 2

Reduce those amounts by multiplying them by the appropriate fraction.

The total of the two amounts arrived at under Step 2 is the total amount of grants and maintenance loan payable to the student for the academic year during which the transfer occurs.

(3) In Step 2 of paragraph (2), the appropriate fraction in relation to the old course is the fraction where—

(a) the numerator is the number of days in the academic year up to and including the day on which the transfer occurs, and

(b) the denominator is the total number of days in the academic year.

(4) In Step 2 of paragraph (2), the appropriate fraction in relation to the new course is the fraction where—

(a) the numerator is the number of days remaining in the academic year after the day on which the transfer occurs, and

(b) the denominator is the total number of days in the academic year.

(5) For the avoidance of doubt, where the start date of the academic year of the new course is later than the start date of the academic year of the old course, references in paragraph (4) to the academic year are to the academic year of the new course.