Regulation 105 Eligible distance learning studentsI1

Northern Ireland

(1)

An eligible distance learning student qualifies for support in connection with the student undertaking a designated distance learning course subject to and in accordance with this Part.

F1(2)

Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, a person is an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course if in assessing that person’s application for support the Department determines that the person falls within one of the categories set out—

(a)

in paragraphs 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 10A, 11A, 12A F2, 13 F3, 14, 15 and 16 in Part 2 of Schedule 2; or

(b)

in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in Part 2 of Schedule 2 where paragraph (2A) applies.

(2A)

This paragraph applies where—

(a)

in connection with a designated distance learning course beginning before 1st August 2021, the Department—

(i)

in assessing an application for support by a person (“A”) determined that A fell within one of the categories set out in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in Part 2 of Schedule 2 in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before 1st August 2021; or

(ii)

would have so determined had A made an application for support in accordance with this Part in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before that date; and

(b)

A applies for support in connection with that course or a designated distance learning course to which A’s status as an eligible distance learning student is transferred from that course in accordance with this Part.

(2B)

In connection with a designated distance learning course beginning on or after 1st January 2028, paragraph (2) has effect as if paragraphs 8A, 9B and 9D were omitted.

(3)

A person (“A”) is not an eligible distance learning student if—

(a)

F4A is eligible to apply for, in connection with the distance learning course—

(i)

a healthcare bursary whether or not the amount of such bursary is calculated by reference to the person’s income; or

(ii)

any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007^f1;

(b)

A is in breach of any obligation to repay any loan;

(c)

A has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan A made when A was under the age of 18;

(d)

A has, in the opinion of the Department, shown by A’s conduct that A is unfitted to receive support; or

(e)

subject to paragraph (5), A is a prisoner.

F5(4)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)

Paragraph (3)(e) does not apply in respect of an academic year during which the student enters prison or is released from prison.

(6)

For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(b) and (3)(c), “loan” means a loan made under any provision of the student loans legislation.

(7)

In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (3)(c) only applies if the agreement was made—

(a)

before 25th September 1991; and

(b)

with the concurrence of the borrower’s curator or at a time when the borrower had no curator.

(8)

Subject to paragraphs (11) to (13), if a person satisfies the conditions in paragraph (9) or (10)—

(a)

paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to that person; and

(b)

that person is an eligible distance learning student for the purposes of this Part.

(9)

The conditions in this paragraph are—

(a)

the person qualified as an eligible distance learning student in connection with an earlier academic year of the current designated distance learning course pursuant to regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order; and

(b)

the person’s status as an eligible distance learning student has not terminated.

(10)

The conditions in this paragraph are—

(a)

the Department has previously determined that the person is—

(i)

an eligible student in connection with a designated course;

(ii)

an eligible distance learning student in connection with a designated distance learning course other than the current distance learning course; or

(iii)

an eligible part-time student in connection with a designated part-time course;

(b)

the person’s status as an eligible student, eligible distance learning student or as an eligible part-time student in connection with the course referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has been converted or transferred from that course to the current designated distance learning course as a result of one or more conversions or transfers in accordance with regulations made by the Department under Article 3 of the Order; and

(c)

the person’s status as an eligible distance learning student has not terminated.

(11)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course or other distance learning course from which A’s status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the current distance learning course; and

(b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the refugee status of A or of A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent, as the case may be, F6has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted F7and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave;

(ii)

no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii)

the person (A or A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent) whose refugee status has expired has not become a British or Irish citizen.

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F8(11A)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted section 67 leave, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with–

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course; or

(ii)

an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course or other designated distance learning course from which A’s status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the current course; and

(F9b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted section 67 leave is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave, and

(ii)

that person has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F10(11B)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted Calais leave, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with–

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course; or

(ii)

(F11b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which A is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave, and

(ii)

A has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F12(11C)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted humanitarian protection or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current course, or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course, or other designated distance learning course from which A’s status as an eligible part-time student, designated distance learning student or eligible student has been transferred to the current course; and

(b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted humanitarian protection is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom F13has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted F14and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave;

(ii)

no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii)

the person (A or A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent) whose period for which they are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an F15eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F16(11D)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted stateless leave or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was—

(i)

an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current course,

(ii)

an eligible student in connection with an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course, or other designated distance learning course from which A’s status as an eligible part-time student, designated distance learning student or eligible student has been transferred to the current course; and

(F17b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted stateless leave is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave, and

(ii)

that person has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an F18eligible student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F19(11E)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under one of the Afghan Schemes F20or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with—

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current course, or

(ii)

an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course, or other designated course from which A’s status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the current course; and

(F21b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted leave under one of the Afghan Schemes is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave has been granted and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave, and

(ii)

that person has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F22(11F)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under one of the Ukraine Schemes F23or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with—

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current course, or

(ii)

(F24b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted leave under one of the Ukraine Schemes is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to enter or remain has been granted and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave, and

(ii)

that person has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F25(11G)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person satisfying the criteria in paragraph 13 of Schedule 2 (eligible students: long residence), a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with—

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course; or

(ii)

(b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which A was granted leave to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted F26and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave;

(ii)

no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii)

A has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

(12)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person with leave to enter or remain F27on the grounds of discretionary leave or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course or an application for support in connection with a designated course, designated part-time course or other distance learning course from which A’s status as an eligible student, eligible part-time student or eligible distance learning student has been transferred to the current distance learning course; and

(b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person with leave to enter or remain F28on the grounds of discretionary leave is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom F29has expired and—

(i)

no further leave to remain has been granted F30and paragraph SUI 13.1 of the immigration rules does not apply in respect of an application for such leave;

(ii)

no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii)

the person (A or A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent) whose period for which they are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F31(12A)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of being a person with protected rights with limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, a person (“A”) was an eligible distance learning student in connection with—

(i)

an application for support for an earlier year of the current distance learning course; or

(ii)

an application for support in connection with a designated distance learning course or other designated course from which A’s status as an eligible distance learning student or eligible student has been transferred to the current distance learning course; and

(b)

as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, A no longer has extant limited leave to enter or remain granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules and no further leave to enter or remain has been granted under those rules F32and A has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

F33(12B)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(12C)

Where—

(a)

the Department determined that, by virtue of—

(i)

falling within F34paragraph (1)(a)(iv) or (v) of the definition of “person with protected rights”; or

(ii)

meeting the conditions in paragraph 3(1)(a)(iv) in Part 2 of Schedule 2, a person (“A”) is an eligible distance learning student in connection with an application for support for an academic year of a designated distance learning course, and

(b)

as at the day before the academic year begins, the relevant period has expired and A is not a person with protected rights F35and has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible distance learning student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

(13)

Paragraphs (11) and (12) do not apply where the student began the course in connection with which the Department determined that the person was an eligible student or eligible part-time student, as the case may be, before 21st September 2007.

(14)

An eligible distance learning student may not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

(a)

more than one designated distance learning course;

(b)

a designated distance learning course and a designated course;

(c)

a designated distance learning course and a designated part-time course;

(d)

a designated distance learning course and a designated postgraduate course F36;

F37(e)

a designated distance learning course and a designated Master’s, etc. course.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Reg. 105(2)-(2B) substituted for reg. 105(2) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(3) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Fees and Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/85), regs. 1(1), 9(a)(i)
F2: Words in reg. 105(2)(a) substituted (24.3.2022) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/75), regs. 1(2), 43(a)
F3: Words in reg. 105(2)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/201), regs. 1(2), 4
F4: Reg. 105(3)(a) text amended (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 20
F5: Reg. 105(4) revoked (23.12.2010) by The Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. 2010/383), regs. 1, 21
F6: Words in reg. 105(11)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/157), regs. 1(2), 17(a)
F7: Words in reg. 105(11)(b)(i) inserted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(a)
F8: Reg. 105(11A) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg.1(3)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(3)(a), 5(b)(i)
F9: Reg. 105(11A)(b) substituted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(b)
F10: Reg. 105(11B) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg.1(3)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(4)(a), 8(f)(i)
F11: Reg. 105(11B)(b) substituted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(c)
F12: Reg. 105(11C) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg.1(3)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(3)(a), 10(f)(i)
F13: Words in reg. 105(11C)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/157), regs. 1(2), 17(d)
F14: Words in reg. 105(11C)(b)(i) inserted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(a)
F15: Words in reg. 105(11C) substituted (26.2.2024) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/19), regs. 1(2), 15(a)
F16: Reg. 105(11D) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(3)(a), 16(f)(i)
F17: Reg. 105(11D)(b) substituted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(d)
F18: Words in reg. 105(11D) substituted (26.2.2024) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/19), regs. 1(2), 15(b)
F19: Reg. 105(11E) inserted (24.3.2022) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/75), regs. 1(2), 43(b)
F20: Words in reg. 105(11E)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(5)(6) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/19), regs. 1(2), 25(a) (with regs. 74-75)
F21: Reg. 105(11E)(b) substituted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(e)
F22: Reg. 105(11F) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4)(a) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/201), regs. 1(2), 21(a)
F23: Words in reg. 105(11F)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(4)(b) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/19), regs. 1(2), 25(b)
F24: Reg. 105(11F)(b) substituted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(f)
F25: Reg. 105(11G) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(7)(8) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/32), regs. 1(2), 8(a)
F26: Words in reg. 105(11G)(b)(i) inserted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(a)
F27: Words in reg. 105(12)(a) inserted (25.3.2021) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(2), 18(f)(i)
F28: Words in reg. 105(12)(b) inserted (25.3.2021) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/50), regs. 1(2), 18(f)(ii)
F29: Words in reg. 105(12)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/157), regs. 1(2), 17(d)
F30: Words in reg. 105(12)(b)(i) inserted (24.7.2026) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026/136), regs. 1(1), 10(a)
F31: Reg. 105(12A)-(12C) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(3) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Fees and Support) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/85), regs. 1(1), 9(a)(ii)
F32: Words in reg. 105(12A)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/157), regs. 1(2), 17(f)
F33: Reg. 105(12B) omitted (with application in accordance with of the amending Rule) by virtue of The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/75), regs. 1(4)(a), 27(a)
F34: Words in reg. 105(12C)(a)(i) substituted (24.3.2022) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 (S.R. 2022/75), regs. 1(2), 27(b)
F35: Words in reg. 105(12C)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support, etc.) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (S.R. 2024/157), regs. 1(2), 17(g)
F36: Semi-colon in reg. 105(14)(d) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) for full stop by The Education (Student Support) (No.2) (Amendment) and Education (Student Loan) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/7), regs. 1(1), 6(a)
F37: Reg. 105(14)(e) added (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2) of the amending Rule) by The Education (Student Support) (No.2) (Amendment) and Education (Student Loan) (Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 (S.R. 2017/7), regs. 1(1), 6(b)

Commencement

I1: Reg. 105 in operation at 17.12.2009, see reg. 1(1)

Footnotes

f1: S.S.I. 2007/151, amended by S.S.I. 2007/503, S.S.I. 2008/206 and S.S.I. 2009/188