The Assembly Learning Grants and Loans (Higher Education) (Wales) Regulations 2006

Definitions

1

In this Schedule:—

• (a) “existing student” (“myfyriwr presennol”) means an eligible student who is not a new eligible student;

• (b) “financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol”) means the period of twelve months in respect of which the income of a person whose residual income is calculated under the provisions of this Schedule is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation which applies to it;

• (c) “household income” (“incwm yr aelwyd”, “incwm aelwyd”, “incwm sydd gan yr aelwyd”) has the meaning given in paragraph 3;

• (d) “independent eligible student” (“myfyriwr annibynnol cymwys”) has the meaning given in paragraph 2;

• (e) “independent old system student” (“myfyriwr cymwys dan yr hen drefn”) means an eligible student—

• (i) who is an old system eligible student; and

• (ii) who does not have a partner;

• (f) “Member State” (“Aelod-wladwriaeth”) means a Member State of the European Union;

• (g) “new eligible student” (“myfyriwr cymwys newydd”) means an eligible student who begins a designated course on or after 1 September 2004;

• (h) “parent” (“rhiant”) means a natural or adoptive parent and “child” (“plentyn”), “mother” (“mam”) and “father” (“tad”) is construed accordingly;

• (i) “parent student” (“myfyriwr sy'n rhiant”) means an eligible student who is the parent of an eligible student;

• (j) “partner” (“partner”) in relation to an eligible student means any of the following—

• (i) the spouse of an eligible student;

• (ii) the civil partner of an eligible student;

• (iii) a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if he or she were his or her spouse where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(a) and he begins the designated course on or after 1 September 2000;

• (iv) a person ordinarily living with an eligible student as if he or she were his or her civil partner where an eligible student falls within paragraph 2(a) and he or she begins the designated course on or after 1st September 2005;

• (k) “partner” (“partner”) in relation to the parent of an eligible student means any of the following other than another parent of the eligible student—

• (i) the spouse of an eligible student’s parent;

• (ii) the civil partner of an eligible student’s parent;

• (iii) a person ordinarily living with the parent of an eligible student as if he or she were his or her spouse;

• (iv) a person ordinarily living with the parent of an eligible student as if he or she were the parent’s civil partner;

• (l) “preceding financial year” (“blwyddyn ariannol flaenorol”) means the financial year immediately preceding the relevant year;

• (m) “relevant year” (“blwyddyn berthnasol”) means the academic year in respect of which the household income falls to be assessed;

• (n) “residual income” (“incwm gweddilliol”) means taxable income after the application of paragraph 4 (in the case of an eligible student), paragraph 5 (in the case of an eligible student’s parent), paragraph 6 (in the case of an eligible student’s partner) or paragraph 7 (in the case of the partner of a new eligible student’s parent);

• (o) “taxable income” (“incwm trethadwy”) means, in relation to paragraph 4, in respect of the academic year for which an application has been made under regulation 9 and, in relation to paragraph 5, in respect (subject to sub-paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) of paragraph 5) of the preceding financial year, a person’s taxable income from all sources computed as for the purposes of—

• (i) the Income Tax Acts;

• (ii) the income tax legislation of another Member State which applies to the person’s income; or

• (iii) where the legislation of more than one Member State applies to the period, the legislation under which the National Assembly considers the person will pay the largest amount of tax in that period (except as otherwise provided in paragraph 5).

Independent eligible student

2

An independent eligible student is an eligible student in every case where—

• (a) he or she is aged 25 or over on the first day of the relevant year;

• (b) he or she has been married or is in a civil partnership before the beginning of the relevant year, whether or not the marriage or civil partnership is still subsisting;

• (c) he or she has no parent living;

• (d) the National Assembly is satisfied that neither of his or her parents can be found or that it is not reasonably practicable to get in touch with either of them;

• (e) he or she has communicated with neither of his or her parents for the period of one year before the beginning of the relevant year or, in the opinion of the National Assembly, he or she can demonstrate on other grounds that he or she is irreconcilably estranged from his or her parents;

• (f) he or she has pursuant to an order of a competent court been in the custody or care of, or has been provided with accommodation by, any legal person who is not the student’s parent throughout any three-month period ending on or after the date on which he or she attains the age of 16 and before the first day of his or her course (“the relevant period”) (provided that he or she has not in fact at any time during the relevant period been under the charge or control of his or her parents);

• (g) his or her parents are residing outside the European Community and the National Assembly is satisfied that either—

• (i) the assessment of the household income by reference to their residual income would place those parents in jeopardy; or

• (ii) it would not be reasonably practicable for those parents as a result of the calculation of any contribution under paragraph 8 to send any relevant funds to the United Kingdom;

• (h) paragraph 5(9) applies and the parent whom the National Assembly considered the more appropriate for the purposes of that paragraph has died (irrespective of whether the parent in question had a partner);

• (i) he or she is a member of a religious order who resides in a house of that order;

• (j) he or she—

• (i) has care of a person under 18 years of age on the first day of the relevant year; or

• (ii) has had care of a person under 18 years of age at any time during the present course prior to the first day of the relevant year;

• (k) he or she has supported himself or herself out of his or her earnings for any period or periods ending before the first academic year of the course which periods together aggregate not less than three years, and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph he or she is treated as supporting himself or herself out of his or her earnings during any period which—

• (i) he or she was participating in arrangements for training for the unemployed under any scheme operated by, sponsored or funded by any state authority or agency, whether national, regional or local (“a relevant authority”);

• (ii) he or she was in receipt of benefit payable by any relevant authority in respect of a person who is available for employment but who is unemployed;

• (iii) he or she was available for employment and had complied with any requirement of registration imposed by a relevant authority as a condition of entitlement for participation in arrangements for training or receipt of benefit;

• (iv) he or she held a State Studentship or comparable award;

• (v) he or she received any pension, allowance or other benefit paid by any person by reason of a disability to which he or she is subject, or by reason of confinement, injury or sickness.

Household income

3

• (1) The amount of an eligible student’s contribution depends on the household income.

• (2) The household income is—

• (a) in the case of an eligible student who is not an independent eligible student, the residual income of the eligible student aggregated with the residual income of the eligible student’s parents (subject to paragraph 5(9)) and—

• (i) in the case of a new eligible student who began his or her course before 1 September 2005, the residual income of the partner (other than a partner within the meaning of paragraph 1(k)(iv)) of the student’s parent (provided that the National Assembly has selected that parent under paragraph 5(9)); or

• (ii) in the case of a new eligible student who began his or her course on or after 1 September 2005, the residual income of the partner of the student’s parent (provided that the National Assembly has selected that parent under paragraph 5(9));

• (b) in the case of an independent eligible student who has a partner, the residual income of the eligible student aggregated with the residual income of the eligible student’s partner (subject to sub-paragraph (4)); or

• (c) in the case of an independent eligible student who does not have a partner, the residual income of the eligible student.

• (3) In determining the household income under sub-paragraph (2), the sum of £1,050 is deducted—

• (a) for each child wholly or mainly financially dependent on the eligible student or the eligible student’s partner; or

• (b) for each child other than the eligible student wholly or mainly financially dependent on the eligible student’s parent or the eligible student’s parent’s partner whose residual income is being taken into account.

• (4) For the purpose of calculating the contribution payable in respect of a parent student, the residual income of the parent student’s partner is be aggregated under sub-paragraph (2)(b) in the case of a parent student whose child or whose partner’s child holds an award—

• (a) in respect of which the household income is calculated with reference to the residual income of the parent student or of the parent student’s partner or of both; or

• (b) in respect of which a parental contribution is otherwise applicable with reference to the parent student or his or her partner.

Calculation of eligible student’s residual income

4

• (1) For the purpose of determining the residual income of an eligible student, there is deducted from his or her taxable income (unless already deducted in determining taxable income) the aggregate of any amounts falling within any of the following sub-paragraphs—

• (a) any remuneration for work done during any academic year of the eligible student’s course, provided that such remuneration does not include any sums paid in respect of any period for which he or she has leave of absence or is relieved of his or her normal duties for the purpose of attending that course;

• (b) the gross amount of any premium or other sum paid by the eligible student in relation to a pension (not being a pension payable under a policy of life insurance) in respect of which relief is given under section 273, 619 or 639 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988[^f00067], or where the eligible student’s income is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, the gross amount of any such premium or sum in respect of which relief would be given if that legislation made provision equivalent to the Income Tax Acts.

• (2) Where the only paragraph from 1 to 8 of Schedule 1 into which an eligible student falls is paragraph 7 and his or her income arises from sources or under legislation different from sources or legislation normally relevant to a person referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1, his or her income is not disregarded in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) but is instead disregarded to the extent necessary to ensure that he or she is treated no less favourably than a person who is referred to in any paragraph of Schedule 1 would be treated if in similar circumstances and in receipt of similar income.

• (3) Where the eligible student receives income in a currency other than sterling, the value of that income for the purpose of this paragraph is —

• (a) if the student purchases sterling with the income, the amount of sterling the student so receives;

• (b) otherwise, the value of the sterling which the income would purchase using the rate for the month in which it is received published by the Office for National Statistics[^f00068].

Calculation of parent’s residual income

5

• (1) For the purposes of determining the taxable income of an eligible student’s parent, any deductions which fall to be made or exemptions which are permitted—

• (a) by way of personal reliefs provided for in Chapter 1 of Part VII of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or, where the income is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, any comparable personal reliefs;

• (b) pursuant to any enactment or rule of law under which payments which would otherwise under United Kingdom law form part of a person’s income are not treated as such; or

• (c) under sub-paragraph (2).

are not made or permitted.

• (2) For the purposes of determining the residual income of an eligible student’s parent, there shall be deducted from the taxable income determined under sub-paragraph (1) the aggregate of any amounts falling within any of the following sub-paragraphs—

• (a) the gross amount of any premium or sum relating to a pension (not being a premium payable under a policy of life assurance) in respect of which relief is given under section 273, 619 or 639 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, or where the income is computed for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, the gross amount of any such premium in respect of which relief would be given if that legislation made provision equivalent to the Income Tax Acts;

• (b) in any case where income is computed for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts by virtue of sub-paragraph (6) any sums equivalent to the deduction mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), provided that any sums so deducted do not exceed the deductions which would be made if the whole of the eligible student’s parent’s income were in fact income for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts;

• (c) in the case of a parent student or an eligible student’s parent who holds a statutory award, £1,050.

• (3) Where the National Assembly is satisfied that the income of the parent in the financial year beginning immediately before the relevant year (“the current financial year”) is, as a result of some event beyond his or her control, likely to be not more than 85 per cent. of the sterling value of his or her income in the preceding financial year it may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the household income for the current financial year.

• (4) Where the National Assembly is satisfied that the income of the parent in any financial year is, as a result of some event beyond his or her control, likely to be and to continue after that year to be not more than 85 per cent. of the sterling value of his or her income in the previous financial year it may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the household income for the academic year of the eligible student’s course in which that event occurred by taking as the residual income of the parent the average of his or her residual income for each of the financial years in which that academic year falls.

• (5) Where the eligible student’s parent satisfies the National Assembly that his or her income is wholly or mainly derived from the profits of a business or profession carried on by him or her, then any reference in this Schedule to a preceding financial year means the earliest period of twelve months which ends after the start of the preceding financial year and in respect of which accounts are kept relating to that business or profession.

• (6) Where an eligible student’s parent is in receipt of any income which does not form part of his or her income for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts or the income tax legislation of another Member State by reason only that—

• (a) he or she is not resident, ordinarily resident or domiciled in the United Kingdom, or where his or her income is computed as for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, not so resident, ordinarily resident or domiciled in that Member State;

• (b) the income does not arise in the United Kingdom, or where the parent’s income is computed as for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, does not arise in that Member State; or

• (c) the income arises from an office, service or employment, income from which is exempt from tax in pursuance of any legislation,

his or her taxable income for the purposes of this Schedule is computed as though the income under this sub-paragraph were part of his or her income for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts or the income tax legislation of another Member State, as the case may be.

• (7) Where the income of the eligible student’s parent is computed as for the purposes of the income tax legislation of another Member State, it is computed under the provisions of this Schedule in the currency of that Member State and the income of the eligible student’s parent for the purposes of this Schedule is the sterling value of that income determined in accordance with the rate for the month in which the last day of the financial year in question falls, as published by the Office for National Statistics.

• (8) Where one of the eligible student’s parents dies either before or during the relevant year and that parent’s income has been or would be taken into account for the purpose of determining the household income, the household income is —

• (a) where the parent dies before the relevant year, determined by reference to the income of the surviving parent; or

• (b) where the parent dies during the relevant year, the aggregate of—

• (i) the appropriate proportion of the household income determined by reference to the income of both parents, being the proportion in respect of that part of the relevant year during which both parents were alive; and

• (ii) the appropriate proportion of the household income determined by reference to the income of the surviving parent, being the proportion in respect of that part of the relevant year remaining after the death of the other parent.

• (9) Where the National Assembly determines that the parents do not ordinarily live together throughout the relevant year, the household income is determined by reference to the income of whichever parent the National Assembly considers the more appropriate under the circumstances.

• (10) Where the National Assembly determines that the parents do not ordinarily live together for part only of the relevant year, the household income is determined by reference to the aggregate of—

• (a) the appropriate proportion of the household income determined in accordance with sub-paragraph (9), being the proportion in respect of that part of the relevant year for which the parents do not so live together; and

• (b) the appropriate proportion of the household income determined otherwise in respect of the remainder of the relevant year.

Calculation of eligible student’s partner’s residual income

6

• (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this paragraph and with the exception of sub-paragraphs (8), (9) and (10) of paragraph 5, an eligible student’s partner’s income is determined in accordance with paragraph 5, references to the parent being construed as references to the eligible student’s partner.

• (2) Where the National Assembly determines that the eligible student and his or her partner do not ordinarily live together throughout the relevant year, the partner’s income is not taken into account in determining the household income.

• (3) Where the National Assembly determines that the eligible student and his or her partner do not ordinarily live together for part only of the relevant year, the partner’s income is determined by reference to his or her income under sub-paragraph (1) divided by fifty-two and multiplied by the number of complete weeks in the relevant year for which the National Assembly determines that the eligible student and his or her partner ordinarily live together.

• (4) Where an eligible student has more than one partner in any one academic year, the provisions of this paragraph apply in relation to each.

Calculation of parent’s partner’s residual income

7

The income of a new eligible student’s parent’s partner whose income is part of the household income by virtue of paragraph 3(2)(a) is determined in accordance with paragraph 6, references to the eligible student’s partner being construed as references to the new eligible student’s parent’s partner, and references to the eligible student being construed as references to the new eligible student’s parent.

Calculation of contribution- old system eligible students

8

• (1) The contribution payable in relation to an eligible student who is an old system eligible student is calculated—

• (a) in any case where the eligible student is an independent old system eligible student, in accordance with sub-paragraph (2); and

• (b) in any case where the eligible student is not an independent old system eligible student, in accordance with sub-paragraph (3).

• (2) The contribution payable in relation to an independent old system eligible student is,—

• (a) in any case where the household income is £10,505 or more, £45 with the addition of £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £10,505; and

• (b) in any case where the household income is less than £10,505, nil.

• (3) The contribution payable in relation to an old system eligible student who is not independent is—

• (a) in any case where the household income is £22,560 or more, £45 with the addition of £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £22,560; and

• (b) in any case where the household income is less than £22,560, nil.

• (4) The amount of the contribution payable under sub-paragraph (2) or (3) must in no case exceed £7,430.

• (5) Where sub-paragraph (6) applies, the aggregate contributions must not exceed—

• (a) £7,430; or

• (b) the contribution which would have been payable if only one eligible student held an award.

• (6) This sub-paragraph applies where a contribution is payable in relation to—

• (a) two or more eligible students in respect of the same income under paragraph 5 or, where the relevant parent’s partner’s residual income is taken into account, under paragraphs 5 and 7; or

• (b) two or more independent eligible students each with a partner in respect of the same household income.

Calculation of contribution- new system students

9

• (1) In relation to an eligible student who is a new system eligible student, the contribution payable is—

• (a) in any case where the household income exceeds £37,900, £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £37,900; and

• (b) in any case where the household income is £37,900 or less, nil.

• (2) The contribution must not in any case exceed £7,430.

• (3) Where sub-paragraph (4) applies, the aggregate contributions must not exceed—

• (a) £7,430; or

• (b) the contribution which would have been payable if only one eligible student held an award.

• (4) This sub-paragraph applies where a contribution is payable in relation to—

• (a) two or more old system eligible students in respect of the same income under paragraph 5 or, where the relevant parent’s partner’s residual income is taken into account, under paragraph 5 and 7; or

• (b) two or more independent eligible students who are each with a partner in respect of the same household income.

Split contributions

10

• (1) Where a contribution is payable under paragraph 8 or 9 other than in relation to an independent old system eligible student, the contribution is payable in accordance with the following sub-paragraphs—

• (a) for any year in which a statutory award other than an award referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is held by—

• (i) more than one child of the eligible student’s parents;

• (ii) the eligible student’s parent; or

• (iii) the eligible student’s parent’s partner,

the contribution payable in respect of the eligible student is such proportion of any contribution calculated under paragraph 8 or 9 as the National Assembly after consultation with any other authority involved considers just taking into account the application of paragraph 7 of this Schedule to new eligible students and existing students respectively;

• (b) subject to the following sub-paragraphs, for any year in which an award payable under these Regulations, the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations 2003[^f00069] or section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 [^f00070] (and no other statutory award) is held by more than one child of the eligible student’s parents, the contribution payable in respect of the eligible student is an amount equal to the contribution calculated under paragraph 8 or 9 divided by the number of children of his or her parents who hold a relevant statutory award;

• (c) if, as a result of the apportionment under sub-paragraph (b), any part of the contribution calculated under paragraph 8 or 9 would not be applied in respect of the eligible student’s statutory award, the remainder of the contribution is instead applied—

• (i) first in relation to the smallest statutory award (or each such statutory award) to which the contribution may apply; and

• (ii) then, in increasing order of size, in relation to each remaining statutory award to which the contribution may apply, until the balance of the contribution can be apportioned equally without any part of it remaining or until there remains no part of any statutory award to which the contribution has not been applied.

• (2) In any case where—

• (a) the eligible student’s parent whose income is assessed under this Schedule has a partner;

• (b) a contribution taking into account the residual income of that parent is payable in relation to more than one eligible student who is the child of either that parent or his or her partner; and

• (c) the amount payable in relation to each eligible student is not equal to the amount payable in respect of every other eligible student,

the contribution in respect of each eligible student is calculated under sub-paragraph (3).

• (3) Where sub-paragraph (2) applies, the contribution payable in respect of each relevant household is calculated and the apportionment carried out in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph withholding only that part of the contribution apportioned to each eligible student who is not part of the relevant household.

• (4) In a case where a contribution taking into account the residual income of the eligible student’s parent is payable in respect of more than one child of that parent or that parent’s partner, if any, and the residual income of any such eligible student is greater than nil, the contribution in relation to each eligible student is calculated in accordance with the following sub-paragraphs—

• (a) the contribution in respect of each eligible student is calculated without reference to paragraph 4 but otherwise in accordance with this Schedule and is apportioned between each eligible student in accordance with this paragraph;

• (b) there is then applied in addition in respect of each eligible student a further contribution of £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the sum calculated under sub-paragraph (c) exceeds £22,560;

• (c) the sum referred to in sub-paragraph (b) is the aggregate of any amounts calculated under paragraphs 4, 5 and 7 (where appropriate) of this Schedule with the deduction of the amount (if any) by which the aggregate of the amounts calculated under paragraphs 5 and 7 exceeds £22,560.

• (5) Subject to sub-paragraph (6), there is added to a parent student’s residual income for the purpose of calculating the contribution to his or her statutory award any sum remaining—

• (a) where the parent student is the parent of only one eligible student and the contribution payable in respect of that eligible student is greater than the statutory award in respect of that eligible student, the difference between that contribution and that statutory award; or

• (b) where a parent student is the parent of more than one eligible student, any sum remaining after the apportionment of the contribution to his or her children under this paragraph.

• (6) Where a parent student has a partner within paragraph 1(k) of this Schedule, the sums added to his or her residual income under sub-paragraph (5) of this paragraph are calculated as though the contribution in respect of his or her children had been assessed taking into account the income of the parent’s partner under paragraph 7, whether or not the contribution was actually calculated on that basis.

• (7) In this paragraph, “relevant household” (“aelwyd berthnasol”) means all those eligible students in respect of whom a contribution is calculated with reference to the same income under both paragraphs 5 and 7.

Signed

Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998[^f00064]

D. Elis-Thomas — The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly — 24 January 2006

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide for financial support for students who are ordinarily resident in Wales taking designated higher education courses in respect of the academic year beginning on or after 1 September 2006.

These Regulations revoke the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2005 in so far as they apply in relation to Wales. Regulation 3 sets out the extent of the revocation. Changes of substance made in these Regulations other than rates of grants and loans are described below.

The Regulations introduce a distinction between old system eligible students and new system eligible students (regulation 2(1)) in relation to financial support to students for full-time courses.

Old system eligible students are eligible students attending courses that have started before 1 September 2006 and gap-year students starting courses before 1 September 2007, and certain other categories of student. The following grants and loans are available to old system eligible subject to the specified conditions—

• grant for fees (Part 4);

• fee contribution loan (regulation 16);

• grant for disabled students' living costs (regulation 19);

• grant for students who have left care (regulation 20);

• grant for dependants (regulations 21 to 26);

• grant for travel (regulation 27);

• higher education grant (regulation 28); and

• loans for living costs (Part 7).

A new system eligible student is an eligible student who starts their course on or after 1 September and who is not an old system eligible student. The following grants and loans are available to new system eligible students, subject to the specified conditions—

• fee loans (regulation 17);

• grant for disabled students' living costs (regulation 19);

• grant for students who have left care (regulation 20);

• grant for dependants (regulations 21 to 26);

• grant for travel (regulation 27);

• maintenance grant (regulation 29);

• special support grant (regulation 30); and

• loans for living costs (Part 7).

To qualify for financial support a student must fall within one of the categories listed in Schedule 1 and the eligibility provisions in Part 2. The regulations apply to students ordinarily resident in Wales wherever they study on a designated course. For the purposes of these Regulations a person who is ordinarily resident in Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man as a result of having moved from one of those areas for the purpose of undertaking his or her course is considered ordinarily resident in the place from which that person moved (regulation 2(2)).

Support is only available under the regulations in respect of designated courses within the meaning of regulations 5, 51 and Schedule 2.

The Regulations introduce new rules on previous study in regulations 6 and 7. Students starting courses on or after 1 September 2006 are eligible for fee support and maintenance grants for the ordinary length of their course plus one additional year. The number of years of support available is reduced by the number of years of previously supported higher education. For students who start their course before 1 September 2006 support will be available for the ordinary length of their course. The National Assembly for Wales will be able to extend eligibility where there are compelling personal reasons for doing so in respect of the student concerned. Maintenance loans are available throughout the period of eligibility, which terminates at the end of the academic year in which the student completes the designated course. Students attending courses for the initial training of teachers lasting less than two years will be exempt from the previous study rules.

Students who have an honours degree qualification from a higher education institution in the UK will not be eligible for support under the regulations, but students undertaking a second degree course which leads to professional qualification as a social worker, medical doctor, dentist, veterinary doctor, architect, landscape architect, landscape designer, town planner or town and country planner will still be eligible for a maintenance loan.

The definition of “end-on course” is amended (regulation 2(1)) so that students going end-on from a foundation degree which started prior to 1 September 2006 (or in academic year 2006/7 for gap year students) to an honours degree will be treated as old system eligible students. Students moving from a degree course to a course for the initial training of teachers (other than a first degree course) on or after 1 September 2006 (with the exception of gap year students) will be considered as new system eligible students when they start their teacher training course.

Part 3 of the Regulations makes provision for applications for support (regulation 9), time limits for applications (regulation 10) and Part 3 and Schedule 3 specify the information that must be provided by applicants.

Part 4 of the regulations makes provision for the grant for fees available to old system eligible students.

Part 5 makes new provision for loans for fees. Regulation 16 provides for a new fee contribution loan not exceeding £1200 per academic year for old system eligible students in respect of their attendance on designated courses. The limit is £600 in the circumstances specified in regulations 13(2). Regulation 17 provides for a fee loan up to maximum of £3,000 per academic year for new system eligible students in respect of fees payable by them in respect of their attendance on designated courses. The limit is £1500 in the circumstances specified in regulation 13(2).

Part 6 makes provision for grants for living costs. Regulation 29 makes provision for a new means-tested maintenance grant for new system eligible students. The maximum grant available for most students is £2,700. The maximum amount of grant available for students on courses of initial teacher training (other than first degrees) whose periods of full-time attendance are in aggregate at least 6 weeks but less than 10 weeks is £1,350. The maintenance grant is means tested as follows—

• Students with household incomes of £17,500 or less will receive the full £2,700 maintenance grant. Students with household incomes above £15,500 will receive a partial grant, with a minimum grant of £50 payable once household income reaches £37,425.

• Trainee teachers will receive a non-means tested element of the maintenance grant regardless of household income. Students on courses for the initial training of teachers (other than first degrees) studying for more than 10 weeks will receive a non-means tested element of £1,200; those studying between 6 and 10 weeks will receive £600.

• Partial grant entitlement will be calculated by applying a taper of £1 for every £6 to household income earned in excess of £17,500 up to £26,499. A second taper of £1 in £9.50 will be applied to household income between £26,500 and £37,425.

Regulation 30 makes for a special support grant for new system eligible students who are also eligible for Income Support and other means tested benefits such as Housing Benefit. The maximum amount of special support grant available is the same as the maximum of maintenance grant available. Students eligible for the special support grant are not eligible for the maintenance grant. The special support grant is not substituted for any part of the maintenance loan.

Part 7 and Part 8 make provision for loans for living costs. New system eligible students eligible for a maintenance grant will also be eligible for a maintenance loan and up to £1,200 of the grant is paid in substitution for an element of the student loan. Maintenance loan entitlement will be reduced by £1 for every £1 of grant payable up to a maximum of £1,200.

Part 9 and Schedule 4 makes provision for financial assessment of students for the calculation of the eligible student’s contribution. The contribution is to be applied to specified grants and loans until it is extinguished against the amount of the particular grants and loans for which the student qualifies.

Part 10 makes provision for payment of grants and loans. Regulation 48 introduces a new requirement for the attendance of students to be confirmed by institutions before payment is made. There are exceptions for students who are physically unable to attend. Students undertaking courses, but who are unable to attend a course by reason of disability will be eligible for student support under the Regulations with the exception of the travel grant (regulation 2(7)).

Part 11 makes provision for support for part-time courses.

Part 12 makes provision for postgraduate students with disabilities.

A regulatory appraisal of these Regulations has been prepared and placed on the National Assembly for Wales web-site (www.wales.gov.uk). Copies can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government, Student Finance Division, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 1998 c. 30; section 22 was amended by the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21), section 146 and Schedule 11, the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 1), Schedule 6, the Finance Act 2003 (c. 14), section 147 and the Higher Education Act 2004 (c. 8), section 42. Section 42 and section 43 were amended by the Education Act 2002 (c. 32), Schedule 12. The functions of the Secretary of State were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by section 44 of the Higher Education Act 2004 (Higher Education Act 2004 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional Provision) (Wales) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1833 (W.149)(c.79)).

[^f00002]: 1962 c. 12; sections 1 to 4 and Schedule 1 were substituted by the provisions set out in Schedule 5 to the Education Act 1980 (c. 20). Section 1(3)(d) was amended by the Education (Grants and Awards) Act 1984 (c. 11), section 4. Section 4 was amended by the Education Act 1994 (c. 30), Schedule 2, paragraph 2. The entire Act was repealed by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 44(2) and Schedule 4, subject to the transitional provisions and savings set out in the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/3237), article 3.

[^f00003]: S.I. 1998/2003.

[^f00004]: S.I. 1999/496, amended by S.I. 1999/2266 and S.I. 2000/1120.

[^f00005]: S.I. 2000/1121, amended by S.I. 2000/1490, S.I. 2000/2142 and S.I. 2000/2912.

[^f00006]: S.I. 2001/951, amended by S.I. 2001/1730, S.I. 2001/2355 and S.I. 2002/174.

[^f00007]: S.I. 2002/195, amended by S.I. 2002/1318, S.I. 2002/2088 and S.I. 2002/3059.

[^f00008]: S.I. 2002/3200.

[^f00009]: S.I. 2003/1065.

[^f00010]: S.I. 2003/3280.

[^f00011]: S.I. 2004/161.

[^f00012]: S.I. 2004/1602.

[^f00013]: S.I. 2004/2041.

[^f00014]: S.I. 2004/2598.

[^f00015]: S.I. 2005/5.

[^f00016]: S.I. 2005/52 as amended by S.I. 2005/1341 and S.I. 2005/2084.

[^f00017]: Cm 2073.

[^f00018]: Cm 2183.

[^f00019]: S.I. 2004/1729 (W.173).

[^f00020]: This body was originally established under section 1 of the Education Act 1994 (c. 30) as the Teacher Training Agency. By virtue of section 74 of the Education Act 2005 (c. 18), it continues in existence but is to be known instead as the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

[^f00021]: 1968 c. 46; section 63 was amended by the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 58), Schedule 7, the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 (c. 32), Schedules 4 and 5, the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), Schedules 15 and 16, the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29), Schedules 16 and 17, the Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51), Schedule 17, the Health and Medicines Act 1988 (c. 49), section 20, section 25(2) and Schedule 3, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), Schedule 13, the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c. 17), Schedule 1, the Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Consequential Amendments No. 2) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1008), the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (c. 46), Schedule 2, the Health Act 1999 (c. 8), Schedule 4, the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (c. 15), Schedule 5, the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), Schedules 2, 5 and 9, the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (Supplementary, Consequential etc Provisions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2469), Schedule 1, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), Schedules 4, 11 and 14, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/288), article 7, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/480), article 6 and the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/957), the Schedule.

[^f00022]: S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

[^f00023]: S.I. 2003/1994, amended by S.I. 2004/1038 and S.I. 2004/1792.

[^f00024]: 2002 c. 32.

[^f00025]: Cmnd. 9171.

[^f00026]: Cmnd. 3906 (out of print; photocopies are available, free of charge, from the Student Support Division, Department for Education and Skills, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington DL3 9BG).

[^f00027]: 1980 c. 44; section 73(f) was amended by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 29(1) and the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp6), section 3(2) and section 74 was amended by the Self Governing Schools etc. (Scotland) Act 1989 (c. 39), Schedule 10, paragraph 8(17). The functions of the National Assembly were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46).

[^f00028]: 1990 c. 6; repealed by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), Schedule 4.

[^f00029]: S.I. 1990/1506 (N.I. 11), amended by S.I. 1996/1274 (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.

[^f00030]: S.I. 1998/1760 (N.I. 14).

[^f00031]: Cm. 4904.

[^f00032]: S.I. 1998/1166, amended by S.I. 1998/1972.

[^f00033]: 1971 c. 77; amended by the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61), section 39 and Schedule 4.

[^f00034]: OJ No L257, 19.10. 1968, p 2 (OJ/SE 1968 (II) p 475).

[^f00035]: S.I. 1992/580, amended by S.S.I. 2002/423 and S.S.I. 2003/401.

[^f00036]: 1992 c. 13; section 65(3A) was inserted by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 27.

[^f00037]: “fees” (“ffioedd”) is defined in section 28(1) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30).

[^f00038]: ERASMUS is part of the European Community action programme SOCRATES; OJ No L28, 3.2.2000, p1.

[^f00039]: ERASMUS is part of the European Community action programme SOCRATES; OJ No L28, 3.2.2000, p1.

[^f00040]: 1977 c. 49; section 8 was amended by the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), section 1(2).

[^f00041]: Section 11 was amended by the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c. 17), section 2 and Schedule 1, paragraph 2 and the Health Act 1999 (c. 8), Schedule 4, paragraph 6.

[^f00042]: Section 16BA was inserted by the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002, section 6(1).

[^f00043]: 1978 c. 29.

[^f00044]: S.I. 1972/1265 (N.I. 14).

[^f00045]: 1996 c. 56; section 312 was amended by the Education Act 1997 (c. 44), Schedule 7, paragraph 23, the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 (c. 31), section 140, Schedule 30, paragraph 71 and Schedule 31 and the Learning and Skills Act 2000 (c. 21), Schedule 9, paragraph 56.

[^f00046]: 2002 c. 21.

[^f00047]: O.S. 1999/3110.

[^f00048]: 1989 c. 41; section 79F was inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14).

[^f00049]: 1992 c. 4.

[^f00050]: 2002 c. 38.

[^f00051]: 1989 c. 41.

[^f00052]: S.I. 1980/51, amended by S.I. 1989/596 and S.I. 1999/3177.

[^f00053]: 1974 c. 39.

[^f00054]: S.I. 1992/580, amended by S.S.I. 2002/423 and S.S.I. 2003/401.

[^f00055]: S.I. 1998/1760 (N.I. 14).

[^f00056]: 1980 c. 44; section 73(f) was amended by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 29(1) and the Education (Graduate Endowment and Student Support) (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp6), section 3(2) and section 74 was amended by the Self Governing Schools etc. (Scotland) Act 1989 (c. 39), Schedule 10, paragraph 8(17). The functions of the Secretary of State were transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46).

[^f00057]: 1992 c. 13; section 65(3A) was inserted by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 27.

[^f00058]: 1992 c. 4; Part VII was amended by the Housing Act 1991 (c. 52), Schedule 19, the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), Schedule 9 and Schedule 14, the Jobseekers Act 1995 (c. 18), Schedule 2 and Schedule 3, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), Schedule 8 and the State Pension Credit Act 2002 (c. 16), Schedule 2 and Schedule 3.

[^f00059]: 1995 c. 18; Part I was amended by the Employment Rights Act 1996 (c. 18), Schedule 1, the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), Schedules 7 and 8, the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30), Schedules 7, 8 and 13, the State Pension Credit Act 2002 (c. 16), Schedule 2, the National Insurance Contributions Act 2002 (c. 19), Schedule 1 and the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (c. 18), Schedule 6.

[^f00060]: 1973 p. 50; diwygiwyd adran 2 fel y'u hamnewidiwyd gan Ddeddf Cyflogaeth 1988 (p. 19) gan Ddeddf Cyflogaeth 1989 (p. 38), Atodlen 7. Mewnosodwyd is-adrannau (3A) a (3B) gan Ddeddf Diwygio Undebau Llafur a Hawliau Cyflogaeth 1993 (p. 19), adran 47 mewn perthynas â'r Alban yn unig.

[^f00061]: S.I. 1992/580, amended by S.S.I 2002/423 and S.S.I 2003/401.

[^f00062]: 2000 c. 14.

[^f00063]: 1992 c. 13; section 65(3A) was inserted by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30), section 27.

[^f00064]: 1998 c. 38.

[^f00065]: 1971 c. 77; amended by the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61), section 39 and Schedule 4.

[^f00066]: OJ No. L257, 19.10.1968, p 2 (OJ/SE 1968 (II) p 475).

[^f00067]: 1988 c. 1; section 273 was amended by the Finance Act 1988 (c. 39), Schedule 3, paragraph 10. Amendments to section 273 made by the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12), section 281 and Schedule 35 do not come into force until 6th April 2006. Section 619 was amended by the Finance Act 1989 (c. 26), section 170 and the Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), section 135 and Schedule 21. Section 639 was amended by the Finance Act 2000 (c. 17), Schedule 13. Sections 619 and 639 are repealed by the Finance Act 2004, section 326 and Schedule 42 with effect from 6th April 2006 subject to the transitional provisions and savings in Schedule 36 to the Finance Act 2004.

[^f00068]: “Financial Statistics” (ISSN 0015-203X).

[^f00069]: S.I 2003/1994, amended by S.I. 2004/1038 and S.I. 2004/1792.

[^f00070]: 1968 c. 46; section 63 was amended by the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1972 (c. 58), Schedule 7, the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 (c. 32), Schedules 4 and 5, the National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49), Schedules 15 and 16, the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 29), Schedules 16 and 17, the Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51), Schedule 17, the Health and Medicines Act 1988 (c. 49), section 20, section 25(2) and Schedule 3, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), Schedule 13, the Health Authorities Act 1995 (c. 17), Schedule 1, the Local Government Reorganisation (Wales) (Consequential Amendments No. 2) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1008), the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (c. 46), Schedule 2, the Health Act 1999 (c. 8), Schedule 4, the Health and Social Care Act 2001 (c. 15), Schedule 5, the National Health Service Reform and Social Care Professions Act 2002 (c. 17), Schedules 2, 5 and 9, the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 (Supplementary, Consequential etc Provisions) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2469), Schedule 1, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (c. 43), Schedules 4, 11 and 14, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 Commencement (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/288), article 7, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 (Commencement No. 1) (Wales) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/480), article 6 and the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 (Consequential Modifications) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/957), the Schedule.