Funding Non-Advanced Courses
If you are studying a full-time HNC, HND or Degree
course, you may qualify for financial support to cover your course fees from
the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Tuition Fees
All courses have tuition fees (the cost of providing the course) associated with
them. Generally speaking, however, if you are studying on a full-time course at
the college, you won’t have to pay these fees – as long as certain conditions are
met.
The main requirements are that you:
- Are studying a full-time advanced course (HNC, HND or Degree)
- Have lived in the UK for the last three years immediately before the relevant date
- Are ‘ordinarily resident’ in Scotland on the relevant date
Student Loans & Additional Grants
Support for living costs is in the form of a student loan, which is partly means-tested.
Everyone, regardless of family income is therefore entitled to a loan of some kind.
Eligible students may also be able to claim their travel expenses from SAAS.
Supplementary grants may also be available to students who are lone parents, have
a disability or have to maintain two homes. Bursaries may also be available to young
students whose families have a low income and to mature students.
Paying for Tuition?
“I wanted to go back college to study full-time, but as I have a mortgage
and lots of bills, I was unsure if I would be able to afford it. I had to weigh
up the pros and cons of coming back to college, but I’m really no worse off now
than what I was when I was working full-time.”
Kate Hanvey, 45, HNC Social Care student
Get More Information
Further information, including answers to the most frequently asked questions, can
be found in our Guide to Funding for Full Time Higher Education Students.
The best piece of advice we can give is find out as much as you can about the financial
implications of coming to college. Speak to our Student Information Centre for more
advice and help with your individual case.
Student Information Centre:
Tel: 0800 587 2277 (Greenock)
Tel: 0800 085 8200 (North Ayrshire)
Email: enquiries@jameswatt.ac.uk
SAAS (Students Awards Agency for Scotland):
Tel: 0845 111 1711
Email: saas.geu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.saas.gov.uk