Financial support

Other sources of financial support

The Scottish Government

The Scottish Executive has produced a useful guide, Helping you meet the cost of learning, as well as a number of summary leaflets that have more detailed information. Click here for more information.

Career Development Loans (CDL)

These are loans that can help to pay for vocational training. They are available to both full-time and part-time students and are offered by these banks: The Co-operative Bank, Barclays and the Royal Bank of Scotland. You can borrow money to pay for course fees, books, materials and other course expenses. To find out if you are eligible for one of these loans, click here or call the Career Development Loan Helpline free on 0800 585505.

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs)

ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that can help with the cost of course fees. If your personal income is £18,000 a year or less, or you are on certain benefits, you can claim up to £200 a year towards the course fee. For courses starting from October 2008, if you take a course that is worth 60 credit points, you can apply for £500 towards course fees. Application packs are available from June 2008. You will need an ILA Scotland learner account before registering with the institution that runs the course of your choice and, currently, must pay a minimum of £10 for every course. For further information and advice about your eligibility, click here or call the ILA Scotland helpline free on 0808 1001090.

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

If you are disabled this grant can help with the purchase of specialist equipment, non-medical help and other costs relating to a course of study. For further information and advice click here or call the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) on 0845 1110244 (Disabled Students Enquiries).

Tax credits

You and your family could be entitled to more money through new tax credits: for example the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. For further information click here or call the Inland Revenue on 0845 3003900.

Benefits

It may be possible to continue claiming benefits whilst studying, particularly if you are a single parent or disabled. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice Bureau for more information.

Educational Trusts and Charities

There are a wide range of trusts and charities that give money to students. The funds tend to have very specific eligibility criteria, such as you must live in a certain area, have a particular surname or you are studying a particular type of course. For further information contact the Educational Grants Advisory Service, which maintains a database of trusts and charities that assist students or telephone 0207 2546251.

If you are an asylum seeker or a refugee, please click here for specific information relevant to your circumstances.

Please click here for useful addresses of agencies who will be able to provide further information about the types of funding available and advice on eligibility criteria.