Means testing of Maintenance Grants

Maintenance grants are subject to means testing, in every case, on the basis of the contributors' income as well as that of the student.

Calculating the Reduction on Account of Contributor's Income 

The amount of the grant is reduced by the amount shown below with reference to the total net income of the contributors in respect of maintenance grants in all cases

Net income          £	Reduction         £	Net income         £	Reduction        £
17,348	0	28,000	2,629
18,000	130	29,000	2,962
19,000	330	30,000	3,295
20,000	554	31,000	3,629
21,000	804	32,000	3,962
22,000	1,054	33,000	4,295
23,000	1,304	34,000	4,629
24,000	1,554	35,000	4,962
25,000	1,804	36,000	5,295
26,000	2,054	37,000	5,629
27,000	2,304	38,000	5,963

For intermediate amounts, the reduction is calculated as follows:

• where net income exceeds £17,348 but does not exceed £19,515, a further £1 is deducted for each £5 of additional income
• where net income exceeds £19,515 but does not exceed £27,105, a further £1 is deducted for each £4 of additional income
• where net income exceeds £27,105, a further £1 is deducted for each £3 of additional income. 

In respect of Maintenance grants, the sum of £100 for each dependent child (other than the student) of the contributor in full-time education is to be deducted from the amount of the reduction.

Means Testing of Student Income for the Calculation of Maintenance Grants 

Reduction on Account of Student's Income 

If the student has unearned income in the academic year, the grant is reduced by £1 for every £1 by which the income in the academic year exceeds the relevant amount specified below:

Category of income	£
Any scholarship, studentship, exhibition or award of a similar kind bestowed on the student in respect of the course (in pursuance of a sponsorship scheme or otherwise), except an award under these Regulations	8,000
Any payment made by the student's employer, where the student is released by the employer to attend the course	8,000
Pension	3,300
Trust income	2,000
Other unearned income (except income received by the student from renting out his or her own home)	900

If the student is in receipt of any other benefit or allowance (except a loan) made by a Department or Statutory Board in the Island, or by a Government department, local authority or other public authority elsewhere in the British Islands, the Department may reduce the amount of the grant by the excess of the benefit or allowance over £900.

Income falling within the following categories will not be taken into account for the purpose of determining the amount of the grant:

• remuneration for employment
• disability pension not subject to income tax
• payments covenanted by a parent or guardian of the student
• payments for an educational purpose, other than to meet:
  • tuition fees
  • expenses for which an allowance is made in respect of disability
  • living and course expenses
  • child benefit in respect of dependent children of the student
  • payments made under:
    • the action scheme of the European Community for the Mobility of University Students (“ERASMUS”)
    • the European Commission programme for foreign language competence (“LINGUA”)
    • payments made to the student out of access funds held by the institution which he or she is attending.

The 'parent or guardian', in relation to a student, includes any person (other than a public authority) who has parental responsibility for him or her, or would have parental responsibility for him or her if he or she were under the age of 18.

Contribution towards Tuition Fees where Family Income exceeds £100,000 

The universal contribution of £2,500 towards annual tuition fees is increased by 35% of that part of total gross income that exceeds £100,000 per annum, up to the full cost of tuition fees. 

If there is more than one student from a family attending College/University at the same time, the level of income above which the additional 35% becomes payable is increased by £19,285 per student. 

This additional contribution is payable by the student and/or contributors and is not covered by the loan scheme operated by the Department.