Regulation 3 Eligibility
Subject to and in accordance with these Regulations a person shall be eligible for support in connection with his attendance at a designated course the first academic year of which begins on or after 1st September 1999 if–
he is eligible for support under the Student Support Regulations or would be eligible if the course were a designated course for the purposes of those Regulations;
he has on the first day of the first academic year of the course attained the age of–
16, if the course is a dance course; or
18 if it is any other course; and
the Secretary of State has determined that by reason of merit he shall be eligible for support under these Regulations.
The number of persons who the Secretary of State has determined shall be eligible for support in connection with attendance at courses beginning in any one 12 month period beginning on 1st September shall not exceed 329.