Funding Options
Before you enrol on a course of study through Shetland College UHI, it is important that you know how it is going to be funded and have submitted your application for fees and any personal financial support you may be entitled to.
Financial Support for Further Education Students
Full-Time Courses (SCQF Level 1-6)*
The Shetland Islands Council’s Schools Service provides bursary support to full-time further education students.
You will be expected to maintain 100% attendance of your course.
Fees will be paid directly to the college and the level of your household income will not be taken into account. Maintenance allowances (dependant on your circumstances) will be paid in regular instalments throughout the year provided your attendance and attainment are satisfactory. Materials will be paid in your first instalment.
Travel expenses should be reclaimed on a monthly basis by completing the travel expenses form enclosed with your Bursary offer letter, receipts must be attached or no payment will be made.
The following are amongst some of the things which will affect the amount payable to you as a student:
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Will you be 18 before the start of the course?
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Will you be 21 before the start of the course?
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Do you still live at home with your parents?
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Have you been self-supporting from employment or training allowances for three years or more?
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Are you married?
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Do you have any dependents?
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Have you received bursary support previously?
Financial Support for Higher Education Students
Higher Education (HNC/HND/DEGREE) (SCQF Level 7-12)*
Full time higher education courses are funded through the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). SAAS will pay tuition fees for all eligible full time students; the level of family income does not matter. All applications should be made online at www.saas.gov.uk. Support for living costs will mainly be through a student loan, Young Student’s Bursary or Independent Students Bursary (where applicable) and will be dependent on your personal circumstances.
Part Time study (SCQF Level 1-12)*
Part-time students will normally have to pay their own fees unless they have secured other sources of funding e.g. employer, an ILA Scotland Account or they are eligible for fee waiver.
Part-Time Courses
Shetland Islands Council’s Schools Service provides bursary support to some part-time courses. You will be expected to maintain 100% attendance of your course.
Contact: Student Funding, Education and Social Care Department, Hayfield House, Lerwick, ZE1 0QD
T: 01595 743844
*For SCQF levels, please refer to SCQF Course Levels page.
Fee Waiver
In the following circumstances, you can apply for a “fee waiver” and if you and the course are eligible you will not have to pay the fees for part-time study:
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Your family are in receipt of income support or working tax credit or housing benefit
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You are in receipt of disability living allowance, severe disablement allowance or incapacity benefit
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You have been continuously registered as a job-seeker for more than six weeks
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The net income of your family is equivalent to or lower than the threshold for receiving income support
- You are in receipt of Employment Support Allowance
Educational Maintenance Alowance (EMAs)
The EMA is currently under review and is for students aged 16 who could leave school but remain in full-time education either at school or at college. Payments are based on household income.
Contact: Education Service, Hayfield House, Lerwick, ZE1 0QD
Telephone 01595 744983
In order for you to receive your EMA you must maintain 100% attendance of your course.
You are reminded that you must apply for financial support either before starting your course or as soon as possible after your start date to avoid disappointment. If no financial award is given, you are liable to pay the full amount of course fees and will be invoiced in due course after your start date.
Students Receiving Benefits
Some students can remain on benefits whilst studying. You should seek advice from JobCentre Plus, Department of Work and Pensions or the Citizen's Advice Bureau prior to starting your course.
Discretionary Funds
We understand that many students struggle to cope on a very low income and so we are keen to help students who are in real need before they reach crisis point. In addition to bursaries/grants there are some additional sources of funding to which students who find themselves in financial difficulty can apply.
For Further Education Students there is the Further Education Discretionary Fund.
For Higher Education Students there is the Higher Education Discretionary Fund. Students should have taken out a student loan, if eligible, and applied for the full amount to which they are entitled before receiving help from the Higher Education Discretionary Fund.
Applications will be assessed according to mode of study and level of income and all applicants will be required to submit supporting evidence prior to any award being made. The discretionary fund is a cash limited fund and is aimed at helping those in most need.
Childcare Fund
A childcare fund is available to all full-time students using registered childcare. Applications from students are income-assessed and are not repayable on completion of the course. Part-time students using registered childcare may be considered for the hardship fund.
Individual Learning Accounts (ILA Scotland)
ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that helps you pay for learning that you can do at a time, place, pace and in a way to suit you. It’s for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits.
If you are 16 or over and living in Scotland, you could get up to £200 towards the cost of learning with a learner account from ILA Scotland. ILA Scotland accounts are available if you are interested in learning something new or brushing up your skills.
There are a range of courses to choose from and you can study with any approved ILA Scotland learning provider, including learning centres, local colleges, universities and private training companies.
You must have your ILA in place before you start your course.
For applications and enquiries contact the free ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090
Part-time Higher Education Courses Only
ILA Scotland update
On 1 April 2011, ILA500 was replaced with a new Part-Time Fee Grant that will be delivered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
To qualify for this funding, you should have an individual income of £22,000 a year or less. You also need to be studying a part-time Higher Education course, Professional Development Award (PDA) or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at levels 7-11 of the Scottish Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and complete at least 40 SCQF credits per year. You must also be studying at a Scottish Institution. Eligible learners studying less than 40 SCQF credits may qualify for the ILA200 offer. This support also extends to eligible students studying part-time taught postgraduate courses at SCQF Level 11.
Visit the SAAS website www.student-support-saas.gov.uk to find out more and download an application form.
Contact: Linda Tait
T: 01595 771236 for further information.
Application forms and guidance/advice are also available from Student Services staff within the college.
Please contact FAQs
If you have further questions, there is more information on fees and funding on the UHI website.
Other Courses
Special Programmes
Courses aimed at students with learning difficulties, literacy and numeracy difficulties or language difficulties – e.g. English as an Additional Language – are often funded from other sources and may be available at no charge.
Contact Person: Karen Eunson for more information.
T: 01595 771242
Construction Skills
Scottish Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3 are provided at Shetland College and funded by Construction Skills. Students should be employed in a workplace, which provides the opportunity to work in a construction environment relevant to the course of study, and will attend college on a block-release basis.
