Legal framework - Student Allowances Scheme
Eligibility and entitlement policies
The eligibility and entitlement policies of the Student Allowances Scheme are made by government, and set out in legislation.
Statutes
There are a number of statutes that provide legal authority for aspects of the Student Allowances Scheme.
For a brief description see:
Student Allowances Regulations 1998
The Student Allowances Regulations 1998 are provided for under the Education and Training Act 2020.
They contain the detailed eligibility and entitlement provisions of the scheme.
The previous 1998 Regulations replaced the 1991 Regulations when the administration of the scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Education to the (then) Department of Work and Income from 1999.
Annual General Adjustment (AGA)
The Annual General Adjustment (AGA) is the annual increase of the rates and some thresholds of various financial assistance payments, including Student Allowances.
Changes to Student Allowances take effect from 1 April each year, reflecting any upward movement in the Consumers Price Index CPI.
Increases affect the rate of:
- basic grants and independence circumstances grants
- personal and couple income thresholds and
- parental income thresholds
The Annual General Adjustment does not affect the maximum standard rate of Accommodation Benefit.
