16.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during any academic year, if the Department determines that student loans will bear interest, loans bear interest at the rate which will result in an annual percentage rate of charge determined in accordance with [F1total charge for credit rules] equal to the [F2standard interest rate].
(2) If the rate referred to in paragraph (1) exceeds the rate for the time being specified [F3by article 60G(3)(d) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001] student loans bear interest at the rate so specified.
(3) Interest is calculated on the principal outstanding daily and is added to the principal monthly.
(4) The index of prices to which the Department is required by Article 3(8) of the Order to have regard in prescribing the rate of interest which student loans bear is the [F4retail price index].
(5) The Department must publish, at least once a year, by whatever means and in whatever media the Department thinks fit, the interest rate determined in accordance with paragraph (1) for any forthcoming academic year, subject to any variation required by virtue of paragraph (2) to be applied.
(6) If, for any academic year, the Department determines not to charge interest on student loans, the Department must publish notice of that fact in the same manner.
(7) If, for any academic year, the Department publishes more than one rate of interest to apply to student loans, any subsequent rate so published will replace any previously published rate as the rate to apply from the date specified in the notice.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2024) by The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/55), regs. 1(2), 6(a)(i)
F2Words in reg. 16(1) substituted (6.4.2024) by The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/55), regs. 1(2), 6(a)(ii)
F3Words in reg. 16(2) substituted (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), art. 1(2)(6), Sch. para. 39(b)
F4Words in reg. 16(4) substituted (6.4.2024) by The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/55), regs. 1(2), 6(b)
Commencement Information