Most applicants studying full time courses below HNC level will be eligible to receive a Bursary or Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA). These funds are administered by the College. You do not need to repay this support if you are eligible to receive it and meet the terms and conditions of funding. You will receive an EMA/Bursary application form directly from the College sometime after May once you have been made an offer and accepted a place on a course. Normally to be eligible you must have lived in Scotland, the United Kingdom or a European Union country for the last 3 years.
An EMA is available for eligible 16 and 17 year olds. The EMA award you receive will be based on your parent/guardians’ earnings or your own financial circumstances.
Students who did not receive EMA prior to 2009/10
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Household Income (2009/2010)
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Weekly amount during term time
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£0 to £22,403 (for families with more than one dependant child in the household)
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£30
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£0 - £20,351 (for families with a single dependant child in the household)
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£30
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Students who received EMA prior to 2009/10
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Household Income (2009/2010)
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Weekly amount during term time
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£0 to £22,403
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£30
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£22,404 to £27,465
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£20
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£27,466 to £33,156
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£10
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Over £33,156
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Nil
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Your EMA is for general living expenses and you may also receive two bonuses of £150 each. One will be paid mid way through your course for attendance and the second is paid on course completion. In addition to support with living expenses you can apply for bursary support with travel expenses and some course materials. For those under 18 years old these are paid regardless of household income levels. Further information on EMA is available from www.emascotland.com.
A Bursary is available for those studying full time courses below HNC level. Students between 18 and 24 years are considered to be supported by their parents unless they meet one of the criteria for self supporting status which is detailed below. This is part of the National Bursary Policy. This means that your parents are expected to make a contribution to your support while at College. For example the maximum you can expect to be awarded is £70.48 per week where your parent’s income is less than £24,275. If your parent’s income is higher than this then the weekly amount will reduce and for income around £50,000 the award may be zero.
A self supporting student may receive up to £89.07 per week. You may be considered to be a self supporting student where you meet one of the following criteria:
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Over 25 years.
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No parents living.
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Married.
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Caring for a dependent child.
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Supported yourself in full time employment or Benefits for more than 3 years.
If you are married or in a relationship, your husband/wife/partner will be expected to make a contribution to your support while at College. For example the maximum you can be awarded is £87.85 per week where your husband/wife/partners’ income is less than £20,643. If your husband/wife /partner’s income is higher than this then the weekly amount will reduce and for income above £50,568 the award may be zero.
Your Bursary is for general living expenses. You may also be eligible for additional support with travel expenses and some course materials.
You can also apply to the college for assistance from the Further Education Childcare Fund. The priority group for this childcare support are lone parents (studying part time or full time). Support from the fund is discretionary, and only open to eligible students to meet the costs of formal/registered childcare. This fund is administered by the College.
Students who may require additional assistance because of a disability may be eligible for additional support from Bursaries. For example help with the cost of travel if you incur additional transport costs as a result of your disability. Our Support for Learning section will help assess your needs.
The college administers hardship funds which are primarily for emergency use to enable students to remain in education when situations arise that would otherwise force them to leave. Payments are assessed and are made at the discretion of the college. Guidance notes are available to explain eligibility criteria. You can contact the Student Advisory Service and speak to one of the student advisors within the college to obtain further information.
Other Help
Certain students such as lone parents and disabled students may be able to continue to claim welfare benefits and study full-time. Please contact your local Benefits Agency office to see if this applies to you. Local authorities can award Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to certain students, including lone parents, student couples with dependent children, students under 19 undertaking non-advanced courses, disabled students and part-time students. All full-time students can claim exemption from the council tax. Forms are available from your local Housing Office.
Some educational trusts and charities give small grants for specific purposes. They may help with fees, books or equipment. A list of educational trusts is available from Student Services and the Student Advisory Service.