What are the Previous Education and Progression Criteria? 

To be eligible for a grant, you must be progressing in your education. This means that you must be attending an approved course:

• that leads to a higher level of qualification than any you may already hold. For example, if you hold a level 6 qualification, you must be progressing to a level 7 course or higher;
• that is at a higher level than any course you may have previously attended;
• in which you are progressing from one year to the next and not repeating a year except in exceptional circumstances.

Repeat Period of Study

You are not eligible for a grant if you are repeating a year on the same course.

However, if you previously attended a further or higher education course but left prior to finishing, you may be eligible for a portion of a student grant once you have completed an equivalent period of study.

Example: You previously completed 3 months of a level 7 course. You are now applying for a grant for a different level 7 course. Provided you meet all eligibility criteria, you will only be eligible for 6 payments instead of the full 9 payments and will need to complete an equivalent period of study of 3 months before you can receive your first payment.

Second Chance Student

You may be considered eligible for funding as a second chance student where you are a mature student and:

• have previously attended but not completed a course,
• have had a three year break in studies at since leaving that course and
• are returning to attend an approved course at PLC, undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Studying at a level below undergraduate level, within the three year period, does not affect a student’s eligibility to be considered as a second chance student.

Maximum Periods of Grant Funding

The maximum periods of grant funding available to you at each level of study are outlined in the table below.