§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial support is available to students in the first 28 weeks of leave of absence for the purpose of medical treatment or therapy. [123761]
§ Mr. WicksUnder the Education (Student Support) Regulations, full-time students in England and Wales who are absent from their course because of illness are entitled to continue to receive student support for the first 60 days of absence. Before academic year 1998–99 this was only 28 days. Local education authorities have the discretion to decide whether such students continue to receive support after the first 60 days' absence. Among the factors they will consider in coming to a decision is the possibility of financial hardship.
Additional assistance for students studying in the UK who are absent from their course due to illness may be available through the Access Funds. These allow universities and colleges to provide discretionary support for students in particular need; and a total of £76.4 million has been made available in England for the 1999–2000 academic year.