[originaltext]Cole: Good morning, Jack. Take a seat.Jack: Good morning, Miss C

Cole: Good morning, Jack. Take a seat.
Jack: Good morning, Miss Cole. I came to enquire about a grant. You see, this is my last year at high school. I want to take a course leading to a degree or a similar qualification when I leave school. I’d like to know some information about the grants. Where can I get a grant? And how much will it be?
Cole: I see. Well, the grant system is complex. Let me think about the easiest way to explain it to you.
Jack: Well, what is the difference between an "award" and a "grant"? People often talk about these two words.
Cole: Yes. The two words are often used interchangeably, but the regulations make a distinction between them. The award comprises of both a fee element and a maintenance element. The grant, represents only the maintenance element.
Jack: What is the fee element of the award?
Cole: The fee element of the award normally covers all tuition and other related courses for which you are liable, and is paid direct to your college or university by the local education authorities. We call these LEAs.
Jack: I see. And what’s the maintenance grant?
Cole: The maintenance grant is paid to you, for your support during a term and short vacations. This part of the award is means-tested. So there is a further distinction between the gross grant and the net grant actually paid by the LEA. This of course is after any contributions from your parents or spouse have been deducted.
Jack: How many grants are there?
Cole: There are two types of grant but we deal mainly with mandatory grants. LEAs in England and Wales are required by law to pay these grants, but only to students who are attending designated courses, who are eligible, and who satisfy the qualifying conditions. If you are not eligible for a mandatory grant, or are not taking a designated course, you may still qualify for a discretionary grant. But each local authority decides its own policy on these and there are no general rules and conditions.
Jack: Well, what’s the discretionary grant?
Cole: A discretionary grant is for a non-designated course and is determined by the LEA. These grants are sometimes competitive so your examination results may be taken into account. And you may be expected to study locally if a course similar to the one you want to take is available nearer your home. These restrictions do not apply to mandatory grants.
Jack: What courses would I get a grant for?
Cole: Mandatory grants are available for designated courses. In almost all cases these are full-time or sandwich courses.
Jack: Sorry, what ... what are sandwich courses?
Cole: They are the courses combining full-time study with periods of full-time training and experience in industry or commerce. Certain part-time initial teacher training courses may be designated for grant purposes. Designated courses are those leading to a first degree of a university in the UK or the CNAA, a Diploma of Higher Education, a University Certificate or Diploma, and other qualifications if the course is specifically designated as being comparable to a first degree course.
Jack: Who can get a grant?
Cole: To get a mandatory grant you have to be eligible as well as having been admitted to a designated course. The final decision on whether or not you are eligible rests with the LEA, but you will probably qualify if, A) you have been an ordinary resident in the British Islands for the 3 years preceding the academic year in which the course begins; B) you have not previously attended a course of higher education of more than 2 years with a grant. However, if you have previously attended a course of higher education of up to 2 years this may reduce the period for which your grant is payable. In addition, you should get your grant application in on time. And for more details, please read the Grants to Students guide.
Jack: Thank you very much, Miss Cole. Now the last question is how much will a grant be?
Cole: Well, it varies according to the year. Your LEA will access your maintenance requirements you’re your resources and subtract one from the other. Whatever is left is your net grant. Your maintenance requirements consist of the basic rate of maintenance grant, depending on where you will be while studying, plus any of the additional allowances you may be able to claim. Your resources include any income of your own, subject to certain allowable deductions and any assessed contributions from your parents or your spouse, based on their income. The standard rates of a grant, additional allowances, contribution scales and allowable deductions are all specified in the mandatory award regulations, which are reviewed and revised annually. The standard rates of maintenance grant for the academic year 1989/90 are 2155 pounds if you are living in a hall of residence or in lodging and studying at a college or other establishment outside the London area. 2650 pounds is also awarded if you are attending an establishment within the London area, but you will receive 1710 pounds if you are living with your parents. LEAs also reserve the right to award this grant to those who could live at home and travel to their place of study daily but prefer to live away from the parental home.
Jack: Thank you very much, Miss Cole. This gives me a lot of help and information.