PART 5GRANTS FOR LIVING AND OTHER COSTS

CHAPTER 7SPECIAL SUPPORT GRANTS FOR CURRENT SYSTEM STUDENTS

Qualifying conditions for the special support grant59

1

A current system student qualifies in accordance with this regulation for a special support grant in connection with the student’s attendance on a designated course to defray the costs of books, equipment, travel or childcare incurred for the purpose of attending that course.

2

A current system student qualifies for a special support grant if the student—

a

falls within a prescribed category of person for the purposes of section 123(1)(e) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act (Northern Ireland) 199253; or

b

is treated as being liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling prescribed by regulations made under section 129(2) of that Act54.

3

If a current system student does not qualify for a fee loan in respect of an academic year of the designated course, the student cannot qualify for a special support grant for that year unless the reason that the student does not qualify for a fee loan is that—

a

the year is an Erasmus year; or

b

the designated course is an old flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers.

Amount of the special support grant60

1

The maximum amount of special support grant available in respect of an academic year is—

a

in the case of a type 1 or type 3 teacher training student, £1,738;

b

in the case of a type 2 teacher training student, £3,475;

c

in the case of a current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student, £3,475.

2

A type 1 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

a

where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

b

where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to M−(A2)math where—

  • M is £1,738

  • A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

c

where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £659.

3

A type 2 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

a

where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

b

where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to M−Amath where—

  • M is £3,475

  • A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203; and

c

where the household income exceeds £29,019 or the student opts when applying for the grant not to provide the information needed to calculate the household income, the student receives £1,318.

4

A type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives, subject to sub-paragraph (c), an amount as follows in respect of that year—

a

where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £1,738;

b

where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to M−(A​+​B2)math where—

  • M is £1,738

  • A is £1 for every complete £9.09 by which the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019

  • B is £1 for every complete £19.00 by which the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065; and

c

where the household income exceeds £41,065, no special support grant is payable.

5

A current system student other than a type 1, type 2 or type 3 teacher training student who qualifies for a special support grant in respect of an academic year receives an amount as follows in respect of that year—

a

where the household income is £19,203 or less, the student receives £3,475;

b

where the household income exceeds £19,203 but does not exceed £29,019, the student receives an amount equal to M−Amath where—

  • M is £3,475

  • A is £1 for every complete £4.55 by which the household income exceeds £19,203;

c

where the household income exceeds £29,019 but does not exceed £41,065, the student receives an amount equal to RM−Amath where—

  • RM is £1,318

  • A is £1 for every complete £9.50 by which the household income exceeds £29,019; and

d

where the household income exceeds £41,065, no special support grant is payable.