3.—(1) In paragraph 2(3)(a)(i) above, “an independent student” means a person who on the relevant day–
(a)has attained the age of 25 years;
(b)is married; or
(c)has supported himself or herself out of his or her earnings for periods aggregating not less than 3 years.
(2) A person shall be regarded as having supported himself or herself out of his or her earnings for any period or periods during which they–
(a)were participating in arrangements for training for the unemployed under any scheme operated, sponsored or funded by any state authority or agency, national, regional or local;
(b)were in receipt of benefit payable by any state authority or agency, national, regional or local, in respect of a person who is available for employment but who is unemployed;
(c)were available for employment and had complied with any requirement of registration imposed by a body referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) as a condition of entitlement for participation in arrangements for training or receipt of benefit;
(d)received any pension, allowance or other benefit paid by reason of a disability to which they are subject, or by reason of confinement, injury or sickness, paid by any state authority or agency, national, regional or local, by an employer or any former employer, or by any other person;
(e)held a Scottish Studentship or comparable award; or
(f)could not reasonably be expected to support himself or herself out of his or her earnings because they had the care of a person under the age of 18 years who was wholly or mainly financially dependent upon them.