§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if students who take a year out from their studies will be able to return to the same financial arrangements as before their year out. [22405]
§ Mr. WilsonEligible students who have already embarked on a continuous programme of full-time higher education up to first degree level will retain their entitlement to assistance under the existing arrangements until they complete that continuous programme.
Students who take a year out from study during a course of higher education will have their award suspended during that period, provided the absence is approved by the academic authority. They will then be able to return to the course under the same student support arrangements. Students who take a year out between two 127W separate courses of higher education will have their eligibility reassessed as new entrants at the beginning of the new course.
Students who took a year out prior to beginning their programme of study in academic year 1998–99 will be eligible for support under the existing arrangements if they had, by 1 August 1997, a firm offer of a place deferred until 1998, or a provisional offer for deferred entry which was subsequently confirmed.