The statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1969 to 1992, provides for means tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third level education. An approved course for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme is, generally speaking, a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years' duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved third level institution. The institutions approved under the scheme are, generally speaking, publicly funded third level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.