§ Liz BlackmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will amend the662W Education (Student Loans) Regulations 1997 to ensure that students already on courses who do not meet the settled status requirement but were eligible for a student loan under previous regulations, will remain eligible for a loan for the duration of their current studies. [20742]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today laid the Education (Student Loans) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 before the House. The amendment Regulations introduce a transitional provision to protect students who do not have settled status but who have already demonstrated eligibility for a loan under previous Regulations. Such students will continue to be eligible for a student loan until they finish their present course (or a second course if they continue their studies without a break). The Department will be writing to all Higher Education Institutions before Christmas informing them of this amendment.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if students whose maintenance grants are to be phased out in 1998–99 will be eligible for the increased student loans that those students in years 1999 and 2000 are eligible to receive. [19230]
§ Dr. HowellsNew students entering higher education in the 1998–99 academic year will be eligible for increased loans in that year to offset the reduction in the level of maintenance grants. In 1999–2000, we propose to abolish maintenance grants. These students will be eligible for an income-related loan for their maintenance on the same basis as 1999–2000 entrants.