Other Sources of Funding
ILA Scotland
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 £18,000* or less per year or are on benefit, then you may qualify for up to £200 each year towards the cost of learning. If you earn more than £18,000 a year, you could get up to £100 a year towards some computer 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.
* This increase in the threshold is subject to parlimentary approval
Educational Trusts/Scholarships
If you are not eligible to receive support from public funds, you may find it useful to check the Directory of Grant Making Trusts (published by the Charities Aid Foundation), the Grants Register (published by Palgrave McMillan), or the Educational Grants Advisory Service at www.egas-online.org .
SAAS also maintains a Register of Educational Endowments containing information on various Scottish trusts. You can only get help from a trust if you meet its eligibility conditions. These vary from trust to trust, and only the trustees can decide if you are eligible. For instance, conditions can relate to:
- where you live or were born;
- what schools you went to;
- your age;
- the course you are taking; and
- the college or university you go to.
Only the trustees can decide whether to accept or refuse your application. Most trusts say that the people applying must be Scottish, or be planning to study at an institution in Scotland. SAAS will search the register for you if you fill in and submit an enquiry form. After they have searched the register for you, they will send you the names and addresses of any trusts to which you may be able to apply for help. You should then apply directly to the trusts.
You may also want to visit the website at www.scholarship-search.org.uk to look at the database of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards that are offered by academic institutions, commercial organisations and charitable trusts.
Sponsorships/ Scholarships
Many industrial organisations and some government departments have schemes (usually competitive) for supporting students. You may be able to get details of these from your local Jobcentre.
Remember that income from sponsorship, scholarships and other sources of unearned income may affect your support.
Career Development Loans ( CDLs)
CDLs are deferred repayment commercial bank loans available to cover a wide range of vocational training (the skills needed for an occupation, trade or profession) or education for adults. The government supports these loans
by paying the interest on the loan while the individual is undertaking their training. Loans of between £300 and £8,000 can be borrowed to support any course of learning that will help you in your career. In general, you can't use a CDL to pay for anything that is being funded by another source. So students in receipt of a mandatory grant and/or student loan are ineligible to apply for a CDL, as it should not be used to fund expenses that are already covered by other awards. Further information about this scheme can be obtained on Freephone 0800 585 505.
More Information on Other Sources of Funding
To find out more on ILAs go towww.ilascotland.org.ukor
phone the ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090.
For information on Career Development Loans call 0800 585 505.
For more details on scholarships go towww.scholarship-search.org.uk.