Funding Your Higher Education
Students on full-time HNC, HND or Advanced Diploma courses are supported, if eligible, by the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Scottish students studying in Scotland no longer have to pay tuition fees, but you must still apply to SAAS to have them paid for you.
If you don’t apply then you will need to pay the fees yourself.
Application forms can be downloaded from the SAAS website at www.saas.gov.uk You must apply for support well before the start date of your course. If you are a resident of England, Wales or Northern Ireland then you must apply to your local education authority for support.
Funding Options
Student Loans
The main source of help with living expenses will be through a student loan.
If you are under 25 years of age the amount will be assessed on your parent/guardian’s income.
You must pay back your student loan but not until you have left college or university and are earning in excess of £15,000 per year.
Other grants may also be available to students who are lone parents. Bursaries may also be available to young students whose families have a low income and to mature students.
Childcare Fund Support
If you are a lone parent studying part-time or full-time you can also apply to the college for assistance from the Further Education Childcare Fund.
Support from the fund is discretionary, and only available to students to meet the costs of formal/registered childcare.
This fund is administered by the college. Contact Student Services on 01698 232358 for more information.
Travel Costs
You may claim travelling expenses if travel costs are necessary in connection with your course.
There is a maximum amount payable to eligible students and you are required to pay the first £155 of the yearly total.
You must claim your travelling expenses back after you have started your course. Application forms will be available in College from January each year.
Help for Students with a Disability
Students who incur additional expenditure whilst undertaking their course because of their disability can apply for extra support in the form of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Help with the cost of travel may also be provided if you incur additional transport costs as a result of your disability.
Our Disability Support Team is able to provide assistance in terms of making a claim for a DSA.
Higher Education Hardship Fund
Students who are experiencing particular financial difficulty can apply for assistance from the Hardship Fund.
Students must have taken out their maximum student loan before being eligible to apply.
Part time students can apply for childcare from this fund, where part time is defined as at least 50% of a full time equivalent course.
Payments are assessed and are made at the discretion of the college. Contact Student Service to obtain further information.
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