Vol. 469 No. 4
48 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to amend the regulations in relation to higher education grants to enable students who decide to change courses after one year in third level to recommence another course without loss of grant in view of the fact that many students are unsure when they enter third level of the course which would suit their capabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17597/96]
Grants may not be paid in respect of a second period of attendance at the same level of a course approved for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme or the vocational education scholarship scheme irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously.
There is provision under these schemes, however, to renew grant-aid for second chance students. In that instance students who have attended but not completed approved courses and return, following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level, are eligible for the award of grant-aid subject to the other conditions of the relevant scheme.
