Explanatory note

These Regulations, which come into operation on 1st August 2001, amend the Education (Student Loans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“the principal Regulations”). The principal Regulations govern loans made under the Education (Student Loans) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990, which are mortgage style repayment loans. Such loans are for the most part made to students who began their courses before 1st August 1998. Loans under the Student Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, repayable through the tax system, are made to students beginning their courses after 1st August 1998.

The maximum amounts which may be lent in relation to an academic year have been increased in line with inflation (regulation 2(2)).

On 5th October 1999, disability working allowance was replaced by disabled person’s tax credit and the definition of “disability related benefit” in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 has been amended accordingly (regulation 2(3)).