# The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2008, Regulation 119: Support for distance learning courses

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.
Status: prospective

(1) For the purposes of this regulation, the support available is—
(a) a grant in respect of fees not exceeding the lesser of the following amounts—
(i) £1,180; and
(ii) the “actual fees”, being the amount of fees charged to the student in respect of an academic year of the designated distance learning course; and
(b) a grant not exceeding £255 for books, travel and other expenditure in connection with the designated distance learning course.
(2) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under paragraph (1)(b) if the only paragraph in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which he falls is paragraph 9.
(3) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if—
(a) he is a disabled student; and
(b) there has been bestowed on him or paid to him in connection with the designated distance learning course—
(i) a healthcare bursary the amount of which is calculated by reference to his income; or
(ii) a Scottish healthcare allowance whether or not the amount of such allowance is calculated by reference to his income.
(4) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation unless the Secretary of State considers that he is undertaking the designated distance learning course in England.
(5) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if he has undertaken one or more distance learning courses for eight academic years in aggregate and he has received in respect of each of those academic years a loan or a grant of the kind described in paragraph (6).
(6) The loans and grants are—
(a) a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course pursuant to regulations made under section 22 of the 1998 Act;
(b) a loan, a grant in respect of fees or a grant for books, travel and other expenditure each made in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course by the Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland) pursuant to regulations made under Articles 3 and 8(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998; or
(c) a loan in respect of an academic year of a distance learning course made pursuant to regulations made under sections 73(f), 73B and 74(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.
(7) An eligible distance learning student does not qualify for support under this regulation if he holds a first degree from an educational institution in the United Kingdom.
(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7), a degree is not to be treated as a first degree where—
(a) it is a degree (other than an honours degree) that has been awarded to an eligible distance learning student who has completed the required modules, examinations or other forms of assessment for his first degree course; and
(b) the eligible distance learning student is registered to continue the course at the same educational institution after the award of his degree so as to obtain an honours degree on completion of the required modules, examinations or other form of assessment.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/529/regulation/119 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/education-student-support-regulations-2008/regulation-119
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.