Citation, commencement and application

1.-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and come into operation on 1st December 2012.

(2) These Regulations apply in relation to the provision of support to students in relation to an academic year which begins on or after 1st September 2013 whether anything done under these Regulations is done before, on or after 1st September 2013.

Amendment of the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

2. The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009(4) are amended as provided by regulations 3 to 19 and the Schedule.

3. In regulation 2(1) for the definition of "flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers", substitute-

""flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers" means a graduate-entry or postgraduate-level course for the initial training of teachers, the length and pattern of which is determined by reference to the eligible student's experience and training requirements and which has been approved by-

4. In regulation 39(7) omit the words "all or".

5. After regulation 42(4) insert-

"(5) Subject to paragraph (6), the disabled students' allowance is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year, except where the allowance is used for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment.

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for the disabled students' allowance for the purposes specified in paragraphs (2)(a), (c) and (d) in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(7) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the disabled students' allowance only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.".

6. In regulation 43-

(a)in paragraph (1), after sub-paragraph (g) insert-

"(ga)"preceding financial year" means the financial year immediately preceding the relevant year;

(gb)"prior financial year" means the financial year immediately preceding the preceding financial year;

(gc)"relevant year" means the academic year of the course in respect of which the eligible student's dependants' income falls to be assessed;

(gd)"residual income" means taxable income after the application of paragraph (5) (in the case of an eligible student's partner) or paragraph (6) (in the case of an eligible student's adult dependants);

(ge)"taxable income" means, in respect of the prior financial year, a person's taxable income from all sources computed for the purposes of-

(i)the Income Tax Acts;

(ii)the income tax legislation of another Member State which applies to the person's income; or

(iii)where the legislation of more than one Member State applies to the period, the legislation under which the Department considers the person will pay the largest amount of tax in that period,

except that no account is taken of income referred to in paragraph (1A) paid to another party.";

(b)after paragraph (1), insert-

"(1A) The income referred to in this paragraph is any benefits under a pension arrangement pursuant to an order made under Article 25 of the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978(6) which includes provision made by virtue of Articles 27B(4) and 27E(3) of that Order or pension benefits under Part 1 of Schedule 5 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004(7) which includes provision made by virtue of Parts 6 and 7 of that Schedule.";

(c)in paragraph (2)-

(i)omit the words "subject to paragraph (3)";

(ii)for "for the academic year in question" substitute "(for the relevant year for the purposes of regulation 45(2)(b) and for the prior financial year for the purposes of regulation 48(7))";

(d)in paragraph (3) for the words "net income is the net income calculated in accordance with paragraph (2)", substitute "residual income is";

(e)after paragraph (4), insert-

"(5) An eligible student's partner's residual income is determined in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5.

(6) An eligible student's adult dependants' residual income is determined in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 (other than sub-paragraphs (8), (9) and (10) of paragraph 5), references to the parent being construed as references to the eligible student's adult dependants.".

7. In regulation 45(2)(b) after the words "net income" insert "for the relevant year".

8. In regulation 46(5) for "paragraph (6)" substitute "paragraphs (6) and (8)".

9. After regulation 46(7) insert-

"(8) Where A's application for a childcare grant does not identify a childcare provider, the Department may limit-

(a)the amount of grant paid to A to the amount specified in paragraph (9), and

(b)payment of the grant to one quarter of the academic year,

until A has submitted details of the childcare provider to the Department.

(9) In paragraph (8), the amount of childcare grant is 85 per cent of the prescribed childcare charges, subject to a maximum amount of £115 per week.

(10) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (11), a childcare grant is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(11) Subject to paragraph (12), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a childcare grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(12) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the childcare grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.".

10. For regulation 48(7) substitute-

"(7) In this regulation-

A is the aggregate of-

(a)the residual income of the eligible student's partner for the prior financial year;

(b)the residual income of the eligible student's adult dependants for the prior financial year; and

(c)subject to paragraph (7B), (7C) or (7D), the net income of the eligible student's dependent children for the prior financial year".

Where the student begins the course before 1st September 2013, B is-

(a)£1,182 where the eligible student has no dependent child;

(b)£3,543 where the eligible student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(c)£4,721 where the eligible student-

(i)is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

(ii)is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(d)£5,910 where the eligible student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

Where the student begins the course on or after 1st September 2013, B is-

(a)£6,182 where the eligible student has no dependent child;

(b)£8,543 where the eligible student is not a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(c)£9,721 where the eligible student-

(i)is not a lone parent and has more than one dependent child; or

(ii)is a lone parent and has one dependent child;

(d)£10,910 where the eligible student is a lone parent and has more than one dependent child.

(7A) For the purposes of paragraph (7), the current course is treated as beginning before 1st September 2013 in relation to a student "A" where A transfers to the current course pursuant to regulation 8 on or after 1st September 2013 from a designated course beginning before 1st September 2013.

(7B) Where the Department is satisfied that the net income of the eligible student's dependent children in the financial year beginning immediately before the relevant year ("the current financial year") is likely to be not more than 95 per cent of the sterling value of their net income in the prior financial year the Department may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the dependent children's net income for the current financial year.

(7C) In the event that paragraph (7B) or this paragraph is applied in the previous academic year of the current course and the Department is satisfied that the net income of the eligible student's dependent children in the financial year beginning immediately before the relevant year ("the current financial year") is likely to be not more than 95 per cent of the sterling value of their net income in the previous financial year the Department may, for the purpose of enabling the eligible student to attend the course without hardship, ascertain the dependent children's net income for the current financial year.

(7D) In an academic year immediately following one in which the Department has ascertained the eligible student's dependent children's net income for the current financial year under paragraph (7B) and, where applicable, under sub-paragraph (7C) the Department must ascertain the dependent children's net income in the preceding financial year.".

11. After regulation 50 insert-

"50A.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a grant for travel is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a grant for travel in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(3) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the grant for travel only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.".

12. After regulation 57(3) insert-

"(4) Subject to paragraph (5), a maintenance grant is payable to a qualifying student in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a maintenance grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(6) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the maintenance grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.".

13. After regulation 59(3) insert-

"(4) Subject to regulation (5), a special support grant is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where one of the events listed in regulation 18(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g) or (h) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a special support grant in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.

(6) Where the state of which the student is a national accedes to the EU the student may qualify for the special support grant only if the student has been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and Islands throughout the three year period immediately preceding the first day of the first academic year of the course.".

14. In regulation 109-

(a)for paragraph (4), substitute-

"(4) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation unless the Department considers that the student is undertaking the designated distance learning course in Northern Ireland on the first day of the first academic year. ".

(b)after paragraph (4), insert-

"(4A) A student undertaking a designated distance learning course will no longer qualify for support in respect of that course if, after the first day of the first academic year, the Department considers that the student is undertaking the course outside the United Kingdom.".

15. In regulation 112-

(a)in paragraph (4), after the words "the student is undertaking the designated distance learning course in Northern Ireland" insert "on the first day of the first academic year".

(b)after paragraph (4), insert-

"(4A) A student qualifying for a grant under this regulation will no longer qualify for the grant if the Department considers that the student is undertaking the course outside the United Kingdom.";

(c)after paragraph (6) insert-

"(7) Subject to paragraph (8), the grant under this regulation is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year, except where it is used for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment.

(8) Where regulation 106(3) applies, a student may qualify for the grant under this regulation for the purposes specified in paragraph (6)(a), (c) or (d) in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.".

16. In regulation 126-

(a)in paragraph (3), after the words "qualifies for assistance" insert " in respect of a course (other than a distance learning course)";

(b)after paragraph (3) insert-

"(3A) Where an eligible part-time student is undertaking a part-time distance learning course, the student does not qualify for support under this regulation in respect of that course unless the Department considers that the student is undertaking the course in Northern Ireland on the first day of the first academic year.

(3B) A student qualifying for support under this regulation in respect of a part-time distance learning course will no longer qualify support in respect of that course if the Department considers that the student is undertaking the course outside the United Kingdom.".

17. After regulation 130(5) insert-

"(6) Subject to paragraph (7), the grant under this regulation is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year, except where the allowance is used for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment.

(7) Where one of the events listed in regulation 123(3)(a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for the grant under this regulation for the purposes specified in paragraph (5)(a), (c) or (d) in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.".

18. After regulation 146(3) insert-

"(4) Subject to paragraph (5), the grant under this Part is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year, except where the grant is used for expenditure on major items of specialist equipment as provided for in paragraph (3)(b).

(5) Where one of the events listed in regulation 140(2) occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs, except where the grant is used for the type of expenditure specified in paragraph 3(b).".

19. In paragraph 1 of Schedule 2-

(a)in sub-paragraph (2), for the words "includes a guardian and" substitute "means a parent, guardian or";

(b)after sub-paragraph (2) insert-

"(2A) For the purposes of this Schedule, a person is not to be treated as ordinarily resident in a place unless that person lawfully resides in that place.".

20. The Schedule has effect to substitute the figures in the third column of the table for the figures in the second column where they appear in the regulations of the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 set out in the first column.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Employment and Learning on 1st November 2012.

Dr Stephen Farry MLA

Minister for Employment and Learning

Regulations 2 and 20

SCHEDULE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 ("the 2009 Regulations"). The 2009 Regulations provide for financial support for students taking designated higher education courses in respect of an academic year beginning on or after 1st September 2010.

These Regulations make minor policy and technical changes to the 2009 Regulations and these changes are set out in the paragraphs below. These Regulations also, by regulation 20 and the Schedule, set out the increased payment rates for fee loans, grants for fees and fee contribution loans for full-time courses and sandwich courses which apply from 1st September 2013.

Regulation 3 amends the definition of "flexible postgraduate course for the initial training of teachers" in the 2009 Regulations, in light of the abolition of the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

Regulations 4, 5, 9 (in part), 11, 12, 13, 15(c), 17 and 18 amend the 2009 Regulations so that students becoming eligible for student support during the course of the academic year qualify for support in respect of the quarters following the event triggering their eligibility.

Regulations 6, 7 and 10 amend the provisions of the 2009 Regulations under which grants for dependants are calculated. The effect of the changes is that grants for dependants will be calculated on the basis of: (i) the residual income of any partner or adult dependant for the prior financial year; and (ii) the net income of any child dependant for the prior financial year. However, where a dependant's income for the current financial year is likely to be 5 per cent less than that in the prior financial year, the Department may instead assess the dependant's income on the basis of the current financial year.

Regulation 9 (in part) amends the 2009 Regulations to enable the Department to limit the amount of childcare grant payable until a student submits details of their childcare provider.

Regulations 14, 15(a) and (b) and 16 amend the 2009 Regulations such that full and part-time students living in Northern Ireland, who establish eligibility for student support for a distance learning course on the first day of the first academic year of their course, will continue to be eligible for student support unless they subsequently undertake their distance learning course outside the United Kingdom.

Regulation 19(a) amends the definition of "parent" in the 2009 Regulations.

Regulation 19(b) amends the 2009 Regulations to make clear for the avoidance of doubt that "ordinarily resident" means lawfully resident.

An impact assessment has not been prepared in respect of this instrument as it has no impact on the cost of business, charities or voluntary bodies.