Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions have been had with the Overseas Territories about making British Overseas Territories eligible for student maintenance loans.

We have worked with the British Overseas Territories to clearly set out our position on eligibility for student finance.

Persons who have settled status in the UK, and who have come to the UK from specified British Overseas Territories, are eligible for home fee status if they meet the requirement of three years’ ordinary residence in the UK, and/or the specified British Overseas Territories.

Eligibility for student support is based on residency and immigration status, not nationality, targeting resources on students who are likely to stay in the UK indefinitely and contribute to the economy.