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Part-time learning

Course fees

Most students studying part-time courses at further education colleges will have to pay tuition fees. However, you do not pay tuition fees on part-time courses if your course is specifically for people with learning difficulties or disabilities (ask your college if you are not sure if this applies to your course). In addition, you do not usually need to pay course fees for a part-time eligible course if you meet any of the criteria below:

• Your family receive any of the following:
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance
• Or, you receive any of the following:
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
• Or, you are a registered job seeker.

• Or you can provide evidence to the college that your family's taxable income in the previous tax year is the same or lower than the following amounts:
  • £6,695 if one person in the household
  • £10,940 if a household with one couple and no children
  • £16,002 if household includes dependant children.
• Or, you are an asylum seeker, or the spouse or child of an asylum seeker.

• Or, you are in the care of a local authority and are living in a foster home, or children's home.

A similar scheme applies for those studying at universities or other Higher Education Institutions. Your university or other HEI may waive your fees, if you are studying an eligible course and meet any of the following criteria:

• your family receive any of the following:
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefits
  • Pension Credit
• Or, you receive any of the following:
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Carer's Allowance
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
• Or, you are a registered job seeker and have been so for a continuous period of no less than six weeks prior to the date of application.
• Or, your family's sole income is DWP benefits.
• Or, your family's net income is less than the level for receiving income support.

If you have to repeat any part of your course or you have difficulty in meeting the cost of tuition fees but do not meet these criteria, you should ask your college or university about possible eligibility for a fee waiver.

ILA Scotland

For more information on the fee waiver scheme and eligibility details please contact your college or university.

ILA Scotland is a scheme that can help pay for a wide range of learning with a variety of approved learning providers including private and community-based providers, colleges and some universities. If you are aged over 18, live in Scotland and earn £15,000 or less per year or are on benefit, then you may qualify for up to £200 each year towards the cost of learning. Even if you earn more than £15,000 a year, you could still get up to £100 a year towards some courses.

For information on ILA Scotland, and to request an application pack, call the ILA Scotland helpline free on 0808 100 1090 or visit the website at www.ilascotland.org.uk for advice about what learning is available.

If you cannot get your fees paid by the college, or with the contribution from ILA Scotland, you may be able to apply for funding from grant-making trusts or take out a Career Development Loan.

Living costs

Bursary grants are not usually available for part-time students in Further Education, but this decision is at the college's discretion. If both you and the course are eligible for support then the college can still consider you for an award. This award is income assessed. If awarded a living costs bursary, the amount given would be proportionate to the hours you attend college each week.

Help for disabled students

Part-time disabled students who have extra costs arising from their disability whilst at college can apply for the Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance.

Study costs

Some help with study costs may be available - ask your college for details.

Costs of supporting a dependant

Childcare costs

Part-time students are one of the priority groups for help from the college with childcare costs - ask your college for details.

Dependant Allowance

The college can use its discretion to offer part-time students support for a dependant if you have financial, care or legal responsibility for an adult. This is also income assessed and the dependant's income will be taken into account.

Travel costs

Part-time students can apply to college for help with travel costs for the days you travel to college, depending on college criteria. This allowance is income assessed unless you are under 18. Additional travel expenses may be available for students who have extra travel costs because of their disability.

Additional Help

Hardship Funds

Part-time students may be able to get some financial help from Hardship Funds - ask your college for details.

Living costs

Students studying in Higher Education part-time or by distance learning may be eligible for a £500 student loan from SAAS provided you are studying at least 50% of a full-time course.The loan is income assessed. If you are:

• a single student, your income must be less than £13,000 plus £2,000 if you are a parent and a further £1,000 for each additional child;
• a married student, your income must be less than £15,000 plus £2,000 if you are a parent and a further £1,000 for each additional child.

You are automatically eligible for a loan if you, or your husband, wife or civil partner, are currently receiving any income-related Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.

Help for Disabled Students

Disabled Students Allowance

If you are a distance-learning student or studying part time and the course is equivalent to at least 50% of a full-time course, you may also be able to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance ( DSA).

The maximum amount you can receive for both the basic allowance and non-medical personal help elements of DSA is in proportion to a full-time course, e.g. if you study for half a week, the maximum amount you can receive is 50% of these allowances. However, the maximum amount for the allowance for large items of equipment is the same as for full-time students.

If DSA does not meet all your disability-related costs, your university or college has responsibilities to make adjustments or you could consider applying to trusts.

Additional Help

Hardship Fund

If you are experiencing particular financial difficulty you can apply for help from your institution's Hardship Fund.

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