The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC.
The grant awarding authority in question has advised my Department that an application for a grant from the student to which the Deputy refers was unsuccessful. It is open to the student to appeal this decision to the grant awarding authority. Where a grant awarding authority decides to reject such an appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form clearly outlining the grounds for the appeal. I understand that, to date, the student has not appealed the decision to the grant awarding authority.