FUNDING FOR FULL-TIME ADVANCED COURSES 2005 / 2006
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
are means tested.
Previous funding for advanced level study will affect your entitlement
to funding for fees, check with the Information Centre or SAAS.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR FUNDING?
You should apply on-line at www.saas.qov.uk
for help with fees, grant support and student loans. Forms are
also available from any college, university or careers office
after Easter or can be downloaded from the SAAS website. This
form should be completed and returned to SAAS with other documentation
as soon as possible after receiving an offer of a place on a
course. UK 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 grant/loan funding.
The funds are paid in three instalments directly into your bank
account at the start of your course, in January and after spring
holiday.
HOW
MUCH STUDENT LOAN WILL I GET?
You will be entitled to a maximum student loan of:
Living at
home
Living
away from home
Amount per year
£3,620
£4,645
Final year
£3,200
£4,095
The minimum loan payable is:
Amount per year
£545
£830
Final year
£440
£710
All amounts above are based on a 36 week college year which
is usually longer than a university year.
HOW ARE LOANS REPAID?
Once your earnings reach £15,000 you will start to repay
your loan through income tax.
CAN I GET ADDITIONAL HELP IF I HAVE DEPENDANTS?
If you have an adult dependent you can claim an allowance of
£2,395 payable as a grant in addition to the loan entitlement
for yourself. If you are a lone parent you can also claim an
additional allowance of £1,180. Allowances are also paid
in three instalments.
You can claim for dependent children through Child Tax Credits
from the I nland Revenue.
CAN I CLAIM TRAVEL EXPENSES?
An amount of £155 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 and they
are paid into your bank account within 28 days.
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. Further information on what
can be claimed and how to apply should be obtained from your
college.
WHAT OTHER FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE?
YOUNG PERSONS
BURSARY
This is a non-repayable grant for young students. It is paid
instead of part of the loan, so it reduces the amount of loan
you have to take out. If your total parental gross income total
is less then £17,500 you will get £2,395 bursary
and if the total is less than £31,000 then you would qualify
for some help. Students entitled to a Young Persons Bursary
will also be eligible for an additional loan of £545 if
the family income is less than £16,590 Application is
made on the SAAS form.
HOUSING FUND
Students who have their own home or live in rented accommodation
can apply for help towards housing costs. Forms are available
from the Information Centre and must be returned with evidence
of rent or mortgage within 3 weeks of the start of the course.
THE HARDSHIP FUNDS
Limited funds are available for students facing severe hardship.
Each application is decided by interviewing the individual.
Contact the Information Centre if you have financial difficulties.
CAN I GET HELP WITH CHILDCARE COSTS?
All lone parents are entitled to up to £1,100 for childcare
costs and should apply on their SAAS application form. Students
may also receive help through the college Child Care Fund which
is part of the HE Hardship Funds. Application forms are available
from the Information Centre.
BENEFITS
Students on HE courses are not normally entitled to receive
benefits while studying full-time. Lone parents must apply for
funding through SAAS/Students Loans. Further information on
benefits may be obtained from your college Information Centre.
Residents in Greater Govan can also contact our Advisers at
Money Matters , phone 0141
445 5221 or e-mail advice@moneymattersweb.co.uk
COUNCIL TAX
If you are living by yourself or with other full-time students
you will not be liable for council tax, you should apply for
exemption on a form available from the Information Centre or
local Council Tax Office. If you live with a non-student you
are eligible for a discount of 25% - apply to your local council
tax office.
WORKING WHILE STUDYING
Most students need to work part-time while studying. There is
no limit on how much you can earn and it does not affect your
loan/grant entitlement. If you think your earnings will be less
than £4,740 per year (£91 per week) you can ask
your employer for a student tax exemption form P389 (S).
HELP AND ADVICE
You should contact the Information Centre for information and
advice on student finance at the earliest opportunity. The amount
you can expect to receive will depend on your individual circumstances
and because there have been a lot of changes in recent years
it is essential you get an accurate assessment. Separate leaflets
on studying part-time, studying full-time on non-advanced courses,
hardship funds and international students are available from
your college Information Centre.
