started the course before 1st September 1995 and in the three years immediately preceding the first year of the course earned or received by way of such unemployment benefit or income support as is chargeable to income tax under section 617 or 151 respectively of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 198825 sums totalling at least £12,000; or

started the course before 1st September 1995, held an award (or was in receipt of a grant under arrangements made under section 2 of the Education Act 196226) in respect of his attendance at a previous course and had earned or received such sums as are mentioned at sub-paragraph (a) in the three years immediately preceding the first year of that previous course; or

started the course on or after 1st September 1995, immediately before starting that course (disregarding any intervening vacation) attended a full-time course of further or higher education which he had started before 1st September 1995 and had earned or received such sums as are mentioned at sub-paragraph (a) in the three years immediately preceding the first year of that previous course.