 Relevant amount 2. For the purposes of section 23C(5A) of the Act, the relevant amount is £2,000 (“the higher education bursary”). Meaning of higher education 3. For the purposes of section 23C(5A) of the Act, higher education means a course of higher education that is of at least two academic years’ duration and is designated by or under regulations made under section 22(1) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998(4) on the date on which the former relevant child starts the course. 118 Provision as to payment of the relevant amount 4. (1) The local authority may pay the higher education bursary to a former relevant child as a lump sum or by instalments. 1. In the case of a former relevant child who started higher education on or after 1st September 2008 but before 1st September 2009— a. if the higher education bursary is to be paid as a lump sum, it must be paid by 31st December 2009; or b. if the higher education bursary is to be paid by instalments, the first instalment must be paid by 31st December 2009 and the final instalment must be paid before the end of the final year of the course or not more than four weeks after the start of the fourth year of the course, whichever is the earlier. 2. In the case of a former relevant child who starts higher education on or after 1st September 2009— a. if the higher education bursary is to be paid as a lump sum, it must be paid by 31st December 5. 2009 or not more than four weeks after the start of the first year of the course, whichever is the later; or b. if the higher education bursary is to be paid by instalments— i) the first instalment must be paid by 31st December 2009 or not more than four weeks after the start of the first year of the course, whichever is the later; and ii) the final instalment must be paid befo