§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received about tuition fees and grant aid for mature students who withdrew from courses in the past, and who now wish to recommence further education; and if he will make a statement relating to award regulations.
§ Mr. FormanMy right hon. Friend receives representations from time to time on this matter. Under the present regulations, a mandatory award is not normally available for a second higher education course if a student has previously attended a higher education course of more than two years' duration with the help of an award. But, exceptionally, a student whose previous attendance did not exceed one term and seven weeks of a second term, or was at a long term residential adult education college, is eligible for another mandatory award. The regulations also allow a student to transfer with a mandatory award from one course to another, in certain circumstances. A student ineligible for a mandatory award may apply to his local authority for a discretionary award.