# The Lifelong Learning (Student Support) (Amendment of Fees and Awards etc.) Regulations 2026, Regulation 13: Period of eligibility

Extent: E+W

(1) A student’s status as an eligible student in connection with a designated course—
(a) begins on the course start date, and
(b) is retained until the status terminates in accordance with this regulation or Schedule 3 (termination of eligibility due to change of circumstance).
(2) The period for which an eligible student retains the status of being an eligible student is the “period of eligibility”.
(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) to (6) and Schedule 3, the period of eligibility terminates—
(a) where a course lasts for more than 12 months, at the end of the course year in which the student completes the course;
(b) where a course lasts for 12 months or less, 12 months after the course start date.
(4) The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible student (“A”)—
(a) withdraws from A’s designated course in circumstances where the Secretary of State has not transferred, or will not transfer, A’s status as an eligible student under regulation 14, or
(b) abandons or is expelled from A’s designated course.
(5) The Secretary of State may terminate the period of eligibility where A has shown by A’s conduct that A is unfitted to receive support.
(6) Where the period of eligibility terminates—
(a) before the end of the course year in which the student would complete the course, or
(b) within 12 months of the course start date, in the case of a course that lasts 12 months or less,
the Secretary of State may at any time renew the period of eligibility for such period as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/858/regulation/13 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/lifelong-learning-student-support-amendment-of-fees-and-awards-etc-regulations-2026/regulation-13
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.