EC nationals are eligible for tuition fee support only, provided that they have been ordinarily resident in the EEA and Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course.
The following table shows the number of new and continuing students in each academic year and those who received tuition fee support. Prior to 2006-07, this support was in the form of a means tested grant. Since 2006-07, new students were eligible to apply for a non-means tested loan.
10 countries acceded to the EC in May 2004, which has resulted in an increase in student numbers.
EU domiciled students Students receiving fee grants Students receiving fee loans Percentage receiving fee grants Percentage receiving fee loans 1999-2000 79,600 20,100 — 25 — 2000-01 79,300 23,600 — 30 — 2001-02 73,900 19,100 — 26 — 2002-03 72,500 17,400 — 24 — 2003-04 70,800 15,700 — 22 — 2004-05 78,400 16,400 — 21 — 2005-06 82,600 17,000 — 21 — 2006-07 86,500 10,600 8,300 12 10 Sources: 1. Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures are on a snapshot basis as of 1 December for comparability across the years. 2. Student Loans Company (SLC). Since 2006-07 a student may be in receipt of either a grant (continuing students) or a loan (new students).
Only EEA and Swiss migrant workers and certain family members who have been ordinarily resident in the EEA and Switzerland and EC nationals who have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands may be eligible to the full support package.