What funding is available?
Bursaries, EMAs, Student Loans and other Awards
Funding and Welfare Staff are available to help you with any issue regarding Bursaries, EMAs, Loans, Grants and Discretionary Funds.
All application forms are available from the Advice Centre. Applications to SAAS for HNC and HND funding are usually made online. Payment of all Student awards depends on satisfactory course attendance and progress.
All students on full-time FE programmes (National Qualification (NQ/NC); Access; SCE; SVQ/GSVQ; SGA) should complete a BURSARY Application Form. Some students on these courses will be eligible for an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Individual entitlement to an EMA or Bursary will be assessed using the information provided on the Bursary application.
Eligible students will normally have their course fees paid. Entitlement to support with living costs (maintenance) and travel is means-tested, so depends on household income.
After enrolment, Bursary payments are made every four weeks, directly into your bank account. EMA payments are made every two weeks. EMA Bursaries are paid subject to good conduct, progress and attendance. If your conduct, attendance or progress is unsatisfactory, payments may stop without notice and you may be asked to refund money already received. The College issues the award letter which contains details of the conditions which apply to the award.
All Students on HNC or HND courses should apply to SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) www.saas.gov.uk
The Awards Agency will assess liability for fees and eligibility to support for living costs, through a Student Loan. Some students will be entitled to extra help with living costs from grants or higher education bursaries. Arrangements for payment of grants and loans will be given with your letter of award.
Disabled Students Allowance
Students with a disability may be eligible for this additional allowance. Learner Services staff can provide further information and advice.
Change of Circumstances
Funding calculations are based on the previous year's income. If your circumstances change, the award may be re-assessed to take account of this. Further details are available from the Advice Centre.
Tuition Fees
Students are individually responsible for making sure their fees are paid. It is essential that all full-time students apply to SAAS or the College Bursary department, to ensure that tuition fees are paid. If you do not apply for appropriate funding, you will be liable to pay your own course fees.
Students who are paying their own fees may have the option to pay by instalments. The Instalment Policy and Refund Policy, which applies to withdrawals or cancellations, are available on the website and copies can be obtained from the Cashier or Advice Centre.
Fee Waiver
Students who receive Welfare Benefits may apply to have tuition fees waived for attendance on vocational courses offered on a part-time day or evening basis.
Senior citizens in receipt of State Pensions may apply for a 25% remission of fees. Tuition fees may be waived for senior citizens who are in receipt of Supplementary Benefits. The current fee waiver policy is available on the Infosite, or from the Advice Centre.
Students on full-time FE courses (NQ / SGA or equivalent) are not normally required to pay tuition fees providing they have applied for bursary funding.
Part-time Study
If you are a part-time day (under 16 hours per week) or evening Student you may still be able to claim Income Support and other benefits for which you are eligible. We advise that you check your entitlement to benefit with your local Benefits Agency or Job Centre. You may also be eligible for up to £500 towards part-time Higher Education courses (ILA 500). You must be studying for 50% or more of the time needed to complete a full-time higher education course and studying with an ILA Scotland approved college or university.
You may also be eligible to have travel costs and essential course expenses refunded by the College from Discretionary Fund and Part Time travel expenses. Part-time HN students should apply for Higher Education Discretionary Fund. Application forms are available from the Advice Centre
If you are intending to study part-time and remain on benefit you should obtain a Learning Agreement from your Curriculum Leader or Head of Department. A copy of this Learning Agreement should be passed to your local Employment Services Office. For further information on Learning Agreements contact the Advice Centre.
Details on a wide range of funding, including ILA's is available from
http://www.learndirectscotland.com/Help/Funding/Funding.htm
or
http://www.careers-scotland.org.uk/Education/Funding/Funding.asp
Higher Education
Student Awards Agency for
http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/
Further and Higher Education
Scottish Executive – Education and Training leaflets can be found at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Funding-Support-Grants/FFL
For information regarding how your benefits may be affected if you are a student -
http://www.cpag.org.uk/scotland/studentbenefitsproject
http://scottishhandbooks.cpag.org.uk/