This topic contains the following:
Can I get further education funding in Scotland?
If you normally live in Scotland, and you and your course are eligible, you may be able to get funding from the government to take a course of further education. For more details, see Can I get further education funding in the UK?
If you’re eligible for funding in Scotland and you want to take a part-time course in Scotland, the following information is for you. However, if you want to take your course outside Scotland, you might not get all the funding described here. Contact your local education authority to see what funding they can provide.
Do I need to pay tuition fees?
If you’re studying part-time at college or full- or part-time through distance learning (online and by email), you usually have to pay tuition fees.
However, if you get some government benefits, you’re disabled or on a low income, you may be eligible for free tuition. You don’t usually pay fees if you’re disabled/have learning difficulties and your course is specifically for people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Speak to your college or learning provider to find out whether you need to pay fees, and what the fees are.
Can I get help with costs related to my course?
If you’re over 16 years old you can get a grant from Skills Development Scotland to help pay for your part-time course. You can get an ILA200 (Individual Learning Account) grant of up to £200 a year if your individual income is £22,000 a year or less. To find out more, including the courses for which you can get funding and how to apply, see SDS Individual Learning Accounts.
You may also get an allowance from your college to cover items you need for your course (eg set texts), items you need for health and safety reasons, and the cost of study trips that you have to go on as part of your course. If you’re under 18 years old, this allowance doesn’t depend on your household income. For more information, speak your college.
If you’re between 16 and 19 years old you may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to help you pay for your expenses while you study. However, you can only get this to study part-time if you attend two or more part-time courses that total at least 21 hours a week. For more information about the EMA, see What further education funding can I get in Scotland to study full-time?
Can I get help with my travel costs?
You can apply to your college for help with your travel costs to and from college, and if you’re on a placement as part of your course, you can get help for your travel costs to and from the placement.
If you have dependent children you can also get help with extra costs for travel (eg to and from your childcare provider).
If you’re under 18 years old, this allowance doesn’t depend on your household income.
What other government support is available?
As well as the support outlined above, other further education funding is available, depending on your circumstances. Find out more here:
What if I’m in financial difficulty?
If you’re facing financial hardship, you may get help from the Further Education Discretionary Fund. For more information, see I’m a student in further education – where can I get help if I’m in financial difficulty?
Can I get help to study for a City & Guilds qualification?
If you’re studying for a City & Guilds qualification or a National Proficiency Tests Council course, you may be able to get a bursary (a grant of money that you don’t need to pay back) to help with your living costs. See Can I get funding to study for a City & Guilds qualification?
Can I get funding to study while I work?
If you want to undertake a course of vocational training and work at the same time, you might consider doing an apprenticeship. Alternatively, some employers and other organisations may sponsor you to take a course of further education. For more information, see Can I get funding to study for further education while I work?
Where can I find more information?
Here are some links to more information:
This information was updated in March 2013. NUS provides this information in good faith and has taken care to make sure it’s accurate. However, student finance issues can be complicated, and rules change frequently. You should contact the advice centre in your students' union, college or university for support if you’re uncertain or need more help.