8. In regulation 149 (Eligible Master’s, etc. Students)-
(a)After paragraph (3)(f) insert-
“(g)Subject to paragraph (15), A has previously received a Postgraduate Master’s Degree loan other than under these Regulations in respect of a course, where that loan was paid out of funds provided by a government authority within the United Kingdom.”.
(b)After paragraph (14A) insert—
“(14B) For the purposes of paragraph (13), a person (“A”) is to be treated as undertaking the designated Master’s, etc. distance learning course in Northern Ireland on the first day if on the first day A would have been so resident but for the fact that-
(c)A,
(d)A’s spouse or civil partner,
(e)A’s parent, or
(f)in the case of a dependent direct relative in the ascending line, A’s child or child’s spouse or civil partner,
is or was temporarily employed in England, Scotland or Wales as a member of the regular naval, military or air forces of the crown.”.
(c)For paragraph (15), substitute-
“(15) The Department may deem a person who has previously received a-
(i)Master’s, etc. fee loan under these Regulations in relation to a designated Master’s, etc. course, or
(ii)Postgraduate Master’s Degree loan other than under these Regulations, in relation to a designated Postgraduate Master’s Degree course, where that loan was paid out of funds provided by a government authority within the United Kingdom
to be an eligible Master’s, etc. student where the Department is of the view that the person had not been able to complete the previous Master’s, etc. course or Postgraduate Master’s Degree course due to compelling personal reasons.”.