Vol. 488 No. 1
276 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria, if any, that exist regarding the eligibility of a student applying for a grant while studying and living in a bedsit type accommodation; where these criteria can be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5614/98]
The criteria used for the purpose of determining eligibility for a third level maintenance grant are laid down in the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committees' scholarships scheme and the European social fund aided maintenance grant scheme for trainees. These schemes are published each year and are available from local authorities and vocational education committees.
In accordance with the terms of these schemes, mature students are defined as students who are at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an approved course and mature students are categorised as either independent mature students or mature students dependent on parents. An independent mature student is defined to mean a mature student who was not ordinarily resident at home with his or her parents from the October preceding their entry to an approved course. Independent mature students are deemed to be self-supporting and are assessed without reference to either their parents' income or address.
Mature students dependent on parents and all students who are under 23 years of age on entering approved courses are assessed by reference to their parents' incomes.
