Funding For Full-Time Advanced Courses 2010-2011
Who Is Eligible For Funding?
You must be studying full-time on an advanced course (HNC, HND, Advanced Diploma). You must have been living in the UK and Islands for the last 3 years and in Scotland on 1 August to be eligible for funding from SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland). EU students are treated as home students. Non-Scottish UK students should apply to their local education authority for funding.
Will I Have To Pay Fees?
All students studying on advanced courses in Scotland who are eligible will have their fees paid in full by SAAS regardless of parents/spouses income. Fees for courses outwith Scotland will remain means tested. Previous funding for advanced level study will affect your entitlement to funding for fees, check with the Information & Advice Centre or SAAS.
How Do I Apply For Funding?
Applications for fees, student loans and other support should be made online at www.saas.gov.uk. An instruction leaflet on applying on-line is available from the Information & Advice Centre or you can come in to use one of our computers to apply on-line. Students whose home is outwith Scotland should apply to their local education authority. Once this is processed fees will be paid directly to college and you will be notified of your entitlement to funding. Loans and other awards are paid directly into your bank. The first payment is a double payment and paid on the first day of term. Subsequent payments are paid in monthly instalments on the 7th of every month.
How Much Student Loan Will I Get?
Loans are means tested on parental household income unless you are over 25 or considered independent. You will be entitled to a maximum student loan of:
|
Living at home |
Living away from home |
|||
|
Amount per year |
£4,377 |
£5,482 |
||
|
Final year |
£3,912 |
£4,872 |
The minimum loan payable is:
|
Living at home |
Living away from home |
|||
|
Amount per year |
£605 |
£915 |
||
|
Final year |
£480 |
£785 |
All amounts are based on a 36 week college year which is usually longer than a university year.
It may be possible, if your parents are on a low income, to apply for the living away from home level of loan even if you live with your parents.
How Are Loans Repaid?
Once your earnings reach £15,000 you will start to repay your loan through income tax.
Can I Get Extra Help if My Parents Are on a Low Income?
Young Persons Bursary is a non-repayable grant for students under 25 from low income households. It is paid instead of part of the loan, so it reduces the amount of loan you have to take out. If your parental household gross income total is less then £21,760 you will get £2,640 bursary and if the total is less than £34,195 then you would qualify for some help. Students entitled to a Young Persons Bursary will also be eligible for an additional loan of £785 if the family income is less than £22,789. Application is made to SAAS.
Can I Get Additional Help If I Have Dependants?
If you have dependant husband or wife you can claim an allowance payable as a grant in addition to the loan entitlement for yourself. This is means tested on any income they may have, maximum grant is £2,640. Help with dependant children is paid through child tax credits. If you are a lone parent you can also claim an additional allowance of £1,305 from SAAS. Allowances are paid in monthly instalments and are not repayable.
Independent Students Bursary (ISB)
New in 2010, the ISB provides non-repayable support which replaces part of the loan for independent students whose household income is less than £34,195 per year. A maximum of £1,000 is paid to those with household income is less than £19,310.
Can I Claim Travel Expenses?
An amount of £159 per year is included in your loan so you can only claim additional expenses for daily travel to college (and 3 return journeys home if applicable) over this amount. You can apply on-line for travel expenses from January 2011 and expenses are paid 28 days after application.
Can I Get Additional Help If I Have A Disability?
Funds are available as a non-means tested grant to cover additional expenditure because of disability. For further information on what can be claimed see Student Support Section and contact Student Support on (0141) 272 3214.
Can I Get Help With Childcare Costs?
Lone parents who receive the lone parents allowance from SAAS can apply for £1,350 per year towards the cost of childcare in a nursery, pre/after school care or with a childminder. The college HE childcare fund can also contribute to childcare costs for all advanced students. This fund is limited and means tested.
What Are Hardship Funds?
The college uses these funds primarily to assist students with housing and childcare costs and you should apply for these as soon as you start your course. Limited funds are available