Helping you meet the cost of Learning: Adult Learners in Scotland

Adult Learners in Scotland 2007 - 2008

This information sheet gives an overview of the sources of funding available to adult learners who want to study in Scotland.

The funding you get depends on different factors such as:

what course you want to study
where you want to study
whether you want to study full-time or part-time
your income and family circumstances.

See our quick guide below for what's on offer if you are studying full or part-time.

Type of Funding	Type of Learning
	Part-Time			Full-Time
	Further Education	Higher Education	Higher Education	Further Education	Higher Education
	Course Level below HNC/D	Course Level HNC/D or above	Post-graduate	Course Level below HNC/D	Course Level HNC/D or above
Tuition Fee	v	v		v	v
ILA Scotland	v	v	v	v
Career Development Loan	v	v	v	v	v
Student Loans		v			v
Maintenance Bursary				v
Travel Costs	v			v	v
Study Costs	v			v
Lone Parents Grant					v
Lone Parents Childcare Grant					v
Child Tax Credit	v	v	v	v	v
Childcare Funds	v			v	v
Disabled Student Allowance		v	v		v
Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance	v			v
Hardship Funds	v	v	v	v	v

NB: This is a general guide and only indicates the funding that you may receive.

Part-time adult learners in further education

Most people studying part-time including distance learning students will have to pay course fees. However, if you are receiving certain benefits, on a low income or are disabled you may not have to pay course fees. You may also receive:

study and travel costs
childcare costs - part-time students are one of the priority groups for childcare support
additional support needs for learning allowance for disabled students
financial help from the hardship funds
maintenance bursaries are not usually available but can be if you suffer hardship.

Part-time adult learners in higher education

Part-time learners studying a higher education course ( HNC/D level and above), may also be entitled to course fees if you are receiving certain benefits, on a low income or are disabled. You may also receive:

a student loan of up to £500 per year for study and travel costs
disabled students allowance if you are disabled
help from the hardship funds.

For more information on funding for part-time learners contact your institution, college or the Open University in Scotland. You can also download a copy of our leaflet "helping you meet the cost of learning - part-time study 2007-2008" from our website at www.scotland.gov.uk/fundingforlearners

Full-time adult learners in further education

Full-time learners studying a further education course (below HNC/D level), provided they meet the residency criteria, may be entitled to:

course fees
an income assessed bursary of up to £84.69 per week
certain study-related costs
childcare costs
travel costs
dependant's allowance
additional support needs for learning allowance for disabled students
help from Hardship Funds.

Full-time adult learners in higher education

Full-time learners studying a first higher education course ( HNC/D level and above), provided they meet the residency criteria, may be entitled to:

course fees
a student loan - up to a maximum of £4,400 per year or £84.69 per week
adult dependants' grant
lone parent grant
additional childcare grant for lone parents
childcare support
travel costs
disabled students allowance
help from Hardships Funds.

Further information for HNC/D students going on to take a degree can be obtained from the SAAS website at www.saas.gov.uk under eligibility and how previous assistance from public funds affects your support.

Individual Learning Account ( 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.
Even if you earn more than £18,000 a year, you can 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.

Postgraduate funding

The majority of postgraduate students self-fund although many students at this level obtain loans from banks, seek sponsorship, receive help from educational trusts or pursue their studies on a part-time basis whilst working. If your postgraduate course is part-time and registered with ILA Scotland then an ILA could help pay for your course (see separate section).

Some full-time students may qualify for funding from the Postgraduate Students' Allowances Scheme ( PSAS), or if you are studying for a:

Postgraduate Certificate in Education ( PGCE).
Postgraduate Diploma in Community Education ( PGDipCE).

Information on the above funding can be obtained from the SAAS website at www.saas.gov.uk . You can also download a copy of our factsheet "helping you meet the cost of learning - postgraduate students" from our website at www.scotland.gov.uk/fundingforlearners

Career Development Loan ( CDL)

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.
You can borrow between £300 and £8,000 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.

Further information about this scheme can be obtained on Freephone 0800 585 505.

Learning at work

Many employers will help with the costs of learning while you work. You should ask your employer or trade union representative for details.

Government schemes which will either pay a full wage or a training allowance include:

Modern Apprenticeships.
Skillseekers.

For more information on learning while you work contact your local Jobcentre or visit the following websites:

www.scottish-enterprise.com/modern-apprenticeships
www.scottish-enterprise.com/skillseekers
www.hie.co.uk/skillseekers.htm

Adult literacy and numeracy

In Scotland, learning opportunities relating to adult literacy and numeracy are free. For local information, call the Big Plus helpline on 0808 100 1080.

More information on adult literacy and numeracy is on the Learning Connections website at www.lc.communitiesscotland.gov.uk

Community adult learning

Community-based learning opportunities (provided by a range of organisations such as local authorities and voluntary organisations) may be available free of charge in your local area. In some instances there may be provision for child care and other support for taking part. In other instances there will be a charge.

Information may be available from a variety of local Community Learning and Development ( CLD) services ( e.g. a community centre) and from many public libraries. Alternatively Learndirect Scotland will have details of some community-based learning opportunities. You can also find contact details for the CLD manager in your local authority area in the CLD National Directory.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)

Most publicly-funded ESOL courses ( i.e. those provided by colleges, universities, community-based providers and voluntary organisations) are free to the learner. In some circumstances, though, you may have to pay some, or all, of the course fee. You should check with your ESOL provider whether you will have to pay any fee before you sign up for the course. If a fee is payable, ILA Scotland (see separate section) may be able to help pay for the cost of ESOL learning.

Further information

To find out more about the various financial help available contact:

Learndirect Scotland

If you want to get into learning but aren't sure where to start, contact Learndirect Scotland

tel: 0808 100 9000 (freephone)
web: www.learndirectscotland.com

Your local college

For more information on further education student support please contact your local college. A list of colleges is at: http://www.sfc.ac.uk/links/links.htm

Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS)

For more information on higher education student support please contact SAAS at:

tel: 0845 111 1711
email: saas.geu@scotland.gov.uk
web: www.saas.gov.uk

The Open University in Scotland

For information about distance learning courses offered by the Open University in Scotland, tuition fees and financial help contact them at:

tel: 0131 226 3851
email: Scotland@open.ac.uk
web: www.open.ac.uk

Funding for Learners

For information on all our publications contact us or visit our website at:

email: studentsupport@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
web: www.scotland.gov.uk/fundingforlearners

You can also download a copy from: www.scotland.gov.uk/fundingforlearners

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