Method of payment
18.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the board shall make any payment due under these Regulations in such instalments (if any) and at such times as it considers appropriate; and in the exercise of its functions under this regulation the board may make provisional payments pending the final calculation of the award.
(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) to (6), the board shall pay such fees as are described in Schedule 6 promptly when a valid request for payment in respect thereof has been received.
(3) Payment shall be made—
(a)in the case of the fees described in paragraph (a) (excepting sub-paragraphs (i), (ii), (v) and (ix)) of Schedule 6 in three instalments, and
(b)in the case of the fees described in paragraph (a)(ii) of Schedule 6, in four instalments,
(c)in the case of the fees described in paragraph (a)(ix) of Schedule 6, in one, two or three instalments depending on whether the final year of the course is ordinarily required to be completed before the first, second or third respectively of the dates 1st January, 1st April. 1st July and 1st September which follow the beginning of that year. and
(d)in the case of the fees described in paragraph (b) of Schedule 6 in three instalments, but if the final year of the course is ordinarily required to be completed before the first or second of the dates 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st September which follow the beginning of that year, in one or two instalments respectively.
(4) The instalments referred to in paragraph (3) shall be paid—
(a)after the first dates on which the student is required to attend his course after 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st September respectively, beginning with a payment after the first date on which he is required to attend after the beginning of the year of the course, and continuing with payments after the next such first dates on which he is required to attend, until all the instalments which are payable for the year have been paid; and
(b)in the case of the instalments referred to in paragraph (3)(a), and when the academic year of the course begins in the autumn, on or before 10th December in the case of the first instalment, on or before 15th February in the case of the second instalment and on or before 31st May in the case of the third instalment or within one month of the receipt by the board of a valid request for payment, whichever is the later.
(5) Subject to paragraph (6) no fees shall be payable when the student has ceased to attend his course (whether or not the academic authority has been so notified) but has not completed it.
(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (5) when instalments are payable under paragraph (4)(b) the first, second or third instalment shall be payable if the student was attending the course on 15th November, 15th February or 31st May respectively.
(7) All payments shall be made to the student, except—
(a)payment of the fees described in Schedule 6 may be made to the academic authority; and
(b)where a student’s maintenance requirements include any of the requirements referred to in paragraph 10 Part II of Schedule 7, on his written instruction payment in respect of his maintenance grant maybe made to a third party.
(8) Without prejudice to regulation 20 or the recovery of an overpayment by way of a deduction from a subsequent payment, any overpayment or underpayment made in pursuance of this regulation shall be adjusted by payment between the student or, as the case may be, the academic authority and the board.