§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of any source of funds available to a student intermitting a course in higher education because medically unfit to work and unable to rely on assistance from parents or other relations. [HL854]
§ Baroness BlackstoneUnder the Education (Student Support) Regulations, full-time students 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 should continue to receive support after the first 60 days' absence. We have encouraged local education authorities to exercise their discretion and to be sympathetic to the student's position in considering cases which come to them. Among the factors they will consider in coming to a decision is the possibility of financial hardship.
Students who remain ill for more than a period of 28 weeks may become eligible at that stage to receive income support and housing benefit. Local education authorities have the discretion to continue support to sick students waiting to receive income support.
Additional assistance for students studying in the UK who are absent from their course due to illness may be available through hardship funds. These allow universities and colleges to provide discretionary support for students in particular need; and a total of £86.6 million has been made available in England for the 2000–2001 academic year.