The Education (Student Support) (European Institutions) Regulations 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations which come into force on 1st September 2000, are made under Section 22 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998. They make provision for grants by the Secretary of State for postgraduate study at three European institutions: the College of Europe, the European University Institute and the Bologna Centre.

Provisions in these Regulations which differ from the corresponding provisions of the 1999 Regulations as amended (except as a result of minor drafting or consequential changes) are indicated by the use of heavy type. Omissions are indicated by the use of dots. Changes of substance made by these Regulations are described below.

The eligibility criteria have been amended to take account of the fact that eligible students will not be resident in England and Wales on the first day of their course (regulation 4(1)(a)).

Regulation 7(1)(c) has been amended so that living costs for the College of Europe allow for variations in the number of extra weeks for the academic year 2000–2001.

Provision has been made for students at the College of Europe to be eligible for grants for dependants and for disabled students' living costs (regulation 7(1)(g) and (h)). Provision has also been made for students at the European University Institute to be eligible for grants for disabled students' living costs (regulation 8(1)(g)).

The application of the students' contribution in the means test provisions has been modified as a consequence of the above additions (regulation 10).

Where a student is required to repeat part of his course, it is at the discretion of the Secretary of State whether the student will receive funding for this purpose (regulation 12).

Where a student is absent from his course for more than 60 days because of illness or is absent for any other reason, he will not be eligible to receive support except at the Secretary of State’s discretion (regulation 13).