Funding Options
Before you enrol on a course of study through Shetland College it is important that you know how it is going to be funded and have submitted your application for fees and personal financial support that you may be eligible for.
Higher Education (HNC/HND/Degree)
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. Read further about elibility of funding from SAAS for applicants on the UHI website.
Support for living costs will mainly be through a student loan or young student's bursary (where applicable) and will be dependant on your personal circumstances.
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 study
Part time students will normally have to pay their own fees unless they have secured other sources of funding e.g. employer or they are eligible for fee waiver which would cover the cost of your course. Further information is available on the UHI website.
Some Part-Time Courses
Shetland Islands Council’s Schools Service provides bursary support to some part-time courses. You will be expected to maintain 90% attendance of your course.
For further information contact:
Student Funding, Education and Social Care Department, Hayfield House, Lerwick, ZE1 0QD
Telephone 01595 743844
Further Education (Access, NC, NQ, Introductory Courses)
The Shetland Islands Council’s Schools Service provides bursary support to full-time further education students.
You will be expected to maintain 90% 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:
Will you be 18 before the start of the course?
Will you be 21 before the start of the course?
Do you still live at home with your parents?
Have you been self-supporting from employment or training allowances for three years or more?
Are you married?
Do you have any dependents?
Have you received bursary support previously?
Educational Maintenance Allowance
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.
In order for you to receive your EMA you must maintain 90% attendance of your course.
Contact: Education Service, Hayfield House, Lerwick, ZE1 0QD
Telephone 01595 744983
Students are reminded that they should apply for financial support either before starting their course or as soon as possible after their start date to avoid disappointment. If no financial award is given, all students are liable to pay the full amount of course fees and will be invoiced in due course after their start date.
ILA
ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits. It is available to anyone over 16 and living in Scotland. You can get up to £200 a year towards a wide range of courses.
Contact the free ILA Scotland helpline to obtain application forms and enquire about eligible ILA Scotland courses. Learners can also access extensive learner information on the ILA Scotland website, including the improved course search facility.
The ILA Scotland £500 offer is for Part time Higher Education courses only.
£500 accounts – are available only for people who are studying a part-time higher education or professional qualification course such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a Degree course. Eligible courses are higher education courses, Professional Development Awards (PDA) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses at SCQF levels 7-10. And for academic year 2010 – 11 you can also get up to £500 towards eligible part–time taught postgraduate courses, PDA and CPD courses at SCQF level 11.
Students must be studying 40 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits or more in an academic year.
Application packs can be obtained through the ILA Scotland helpline free on
0808 100 1090. Once a student receives their application form for the £500 offer, they should take it to their provider to have their form stamped and certified that the course is eligible for funding.
Once the form has been returned to ILA Scotland and if it is processed successfully, they will send a letter to the student to confirm that they will pay up to £500 towards their course fees. The funds will be paid directly to the learning provider, with the student being responsible for taking a copy of their letter and paying the balance directly to their provider.
If you wish to use an ILA to help with the cost of a course then you need to apply in good time, BEFORE your course starts.
To find out more call free on 0808 100 1090 or visit www.ilascotland.org.uk
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.
More information is available from the College’s Community Learning Section.
Construction Skills
Scottish Vocational Qualifications at Level 2 and Level 3 are provided at Shetland College and funded by the Construction Skills. Students will 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.
More information is available from Anthony McLeod the College’s Construction Department.
Tel: 01595 771464 or contact Anthony Mcleod
Benefits
Some students can remain on benefits whilst studying. You should seek advice from the JobCentre Plus, The Department of Work and Pensions or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau prior to starting your course.
Staff at Shetland College UHI will help you with any enquiries you have. For guidance and funding advice please contact: Linda Tait or tel: 01595 771236
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 from the discretionary fund.
Discretionary Funds
In addition to bursaries/grants there are some additional sources of funding to which students who find themselves in financial difficulty can apply.
Further Education Students
- Further Education Discretionary Fund
Higher Education Students
- 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
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:
Your family are in receipt of income support or working tax credit or housing benefit
You are in receipt of disability living allowance, severe disablement allowance or incapacity benefit
You have been continuously registered as a job-seeker for more than six weeks
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
Application forms and guidance/advice are also available from Student Services staff within the college please contact Linda Tait 01595 771236 for further information.
FAQs
If you have further questions, there is more information on fees and funding on the UHI website.
Staff at Shetland College will try to help you with any enquiries you have about funding options please contact Linda Tait 01595 771236 for further information.
