Scottish Government

ISBN 0 7559 4517 4

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Contents

Introduction
What's on Offer?
Do I Qualify?
Further Education
Higher Education
Other Sources of Funding
Benefits
Childcare Information Services
Further Information

Introduction

This Guide gives an overview of the funding available for students, or those thinking about learning, with dependent children, and is a useful guide to practitioners giving advice to student parents.

You should read this leaflet if you are a parent who is about to do a full or part-time course in either further education or higher education as it provides details of the financial support you may be eligible for and how to apply for any assistance.

If you have children then assistance is available to help you pay for childcare costs.

• Many colleges have their own nurseries and provide allowances to help you pay for childcare.
• For full-time student parents in higher education help with childcare costs is available through your college or university Childcare Fund, and there is additional help for lone parents from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland.

What's on Offer?

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

Do I qualify?

You must meet certain residence conditions before you're able to apply for funding. These conditions are complicated, and we would advise you to contact your local college (for Further Education courses) or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS) (for Higher Education courses) if you are in any doubt about your residence status. Higher Education students can visit the SAAS website or e-mail them at saas.geu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk .

What are the residence requirements?

1. You must be ordinarily resident in Scotland on the first day of the first academic year of the course.

In Further Education, this will be the start date of your course.

In Higher Education, you must be ordinarily resident on the following dates:

• 1 August 2005 for courses that start between 1 August 2005 and 31 December 2005.
• 1 January 2006 for courses that start between 1 January 2006 and
  31 March 2006.
• 1 April 2006 for courses that start between 1 April 2006 and 30 June 2006.
• 1 July 2006 for courses that start between 1 July 2006 and 31 July 2006.

2.UK nationals must also have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the three-year period immediately before the start of the course. Those who are EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss migrant workers, their spouse or children, must fulfil the three-year requirement in the EEA or Switzerland.

What does 'ordinarily resident' mean?

The courts have defined 'ordinary residence' as 'habitual and normal residence in one place'. It basically means that you, your parents, or your husband or wife live in a country year after year by choice throughout a set period. This lets you have temporary or occasional absences such as holidays or business trips and may cover you if you or your family were temporarily employed abroad.

If your main purpose in coming here is to study, otherwise you would be living somewhere else, you may not be treated as 'ordinarily resident' in Scotland.

Further Education

Further Education courses are those which are not taught in a school and are below Higher National Certificate ( HNC) level. They are levels 1-6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework ( SCQF) and include:

• Academic courses up to Higher level;
• Courses that do not lead to formal qualifications, such as independent living skills courses;
• Basic skills courses, such as literacy and numeracy; and
• Work related courses, such as Scottish Vocational Qualifications ( SVQs).

Support for Further Education is generally through means-tested discretionary bursaries, and these are not guaranteed to all eligible applicants.

Fees

No eligible full-time student, including student parents, will have to pay fees provided that certain residency requirements are met.

If you're studying part-time or on a distance learning course you'll have to pay tuition fees. However, if you are receiving means-tested benefits, on a low income or are disabled you may not have to pay fees.

Check with your chosen college if you are in any doubt.

If you're over 18 and earn less than £15,000 a year you may qualify for one of the new Individual Learning Accounts of up to £200 each year towards the cost of certain courses. For information on the scheme visit the ILA Scotland website www.ilascotland.org.uk or phone the ILA Scotland helpline 0808 100 1090.

Living Costs

Colleges offer maintenance bursaries to cover living costs.

Depending on your family circumstances and household income, full-time student parents in colleges can apply for a non-repayable bursary of up to £80.74 per week. Plus there are extra amounts for travel and study costs.

For part-time students, if both you and the course are eligible for support but you are studying less than 21 hours per week, then the college can still consider you for a bursary. This is means tested, and any income you have, including benefits, will be taken into account. If awarded a bursary, the amount you get is proportionate to the hours you attend college each week.

This allowance is for students who are aged under 18 but do not meet the criteria of the Education Maintenance Allowance ( EMA).
N/A = Not Applicable

Income Assessment

The amount you receive will depend on your age and household income. The basic allowance per week is:

Specific Help for Students with Dependent Children

Each college has a Childcare Fund which is used to help pay for registered childcare. The priority groups for childcare support are lone parent students, mature students and part-time students, though full-time students can still apply. This support is additional to bursary funding, and applies to registered childcare only. Some colleges, however, may offer different methods of childcare support such as on-site nurseries, or childcare vouchers.

Other Financial Help

Students with an adult dependant

If you have financial, care or legal responsibility for an adult, you may also be able to apply for a Dependant's Allowance of £46.02 per week. Again family circumstances and dependant's income will be taken into account

Students with disabilities

Disabled students who have extra costs arising from their attendance at college may apply for additional support towards study and travel-related expenses (an Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance) as part of their bursary application. This allowance is not means tested and is paid on a discretionary basis by the college to eligible students. You should contact your college for further details.

Travel Costs

This allowance is dependent on your circumstances but on the days you attend college it may cover your return travel between:

• your term-time address and your childcare provider
• your childcare provider and the college.

Hardship

Every college operates a Hardship Fund for students with financial difficulties which might prevent them gaining access to further education, or continuing their course. Colleges can also make payments from it to students who are moving from the benefit system to take a course. You can apply at the start of your course or during your course if financial problems arise.

How To Apply

You can get application forms and guidance notes from your college.

You must apply for your bursary through your chosen college which will also administer the payment and deal with any problems. Welfare Officers, Advisory and Counselling Services, and Student Finance Officers can also help you complete your application.

Here are examples of how the support may work:

Full-time Student

Brenda, unemployed, is a lone parent with an interest in IT and has been accepted on the course " NQ Computing - Getting Started" at her local college for academic year 2005/06. The college has told her she will be entitled to receive a non-repayable bursary of £80.74 per week to help with living costs. She may also be able to get help with her travel and study costs. Her children have been enrolled in the on-site nursery, so she knows they will be looked after while she is attending her course. If she gets into financial difficulty during her course she may be able to claim a discretionary award from the Hardships Funds that are administered by the university.

Brenda aims to progress to the HNC in Computing and Information Technology. Her funding will then change from Further Education to Higher Education support. She will still be entitled to her fees but her living costs will be supported through student loans and non repayable grants, such as the Lone Parents Grant and the Lone Parents Childcare Grant. She can also apply for help from the Higher Education Childcare Fund and Hardship Funds.

Part-time Student

Luke is a parent with three children and was interested in attending a part-time course in graphic design and digital imaging at his local college. No formal entry requirements were needed and as his earnings were less than £15,480 he qualified for free tuition under the fee waiver scheme. Part-time students are also one of the priority groups for help with registered childcare costs, and the college Childcare Fund will pay some of his childminder costs. The college also paid his travel expenses to and from college.

After completing his NQ in Art and Design Luke progressed to a full-time HND course in Graphic Design at the same college. As he is now studying full-time, and an HND is a higher education course, his tuition fees are paid, and his living cost support is a mixture of student loans and discretionary childcare grants.

Higher Education

Higher Education courses are those at Higher National Certificate level or above (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 or above), They can be taken at college or at university and include:

• An undergraduate honours degree;
• An undergraduate ordinary degree; and
• A Higher National Certificate ( HNC) or Higher National Diploma ( HND).

Support for Higher Education is mainly loans based, with a number of means-tested grants for specific groups of students.

Fees

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS) will pay the tuition fees for full-time eligible students studying at publicly funded institutions in Scotland. You must apply to SAAS for this even if you are not applying for any other means of support.

If you are studying part-time or on a distance learning course you will have to pay tuition fees. A "fee waiver" scheme can help if you are unemployed or on a low income. or If you're over 18 and earn less than £15,000 a year you may qualify for one of the new Individual Learning Accounts which can give you up to £200 each year towards the cost of certain courses. For information on the scheme visit the ILA Scotland website www.ilascotland.org.uk or phone the ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090.

For more information and eligibility details please contact your institution, college or the Open University.

Living Costs

Support for those studying full-time in Scotland is mainly through an income-assessed loan. Unmarried students under 25 years may qualify for a Young Students Bursary if their parents' income is less than £31,000 a year.

This is a non-repayable grant, paid instead of part of your loan, so it reduces the amount you need to take out as a loan. The maximum bursary available is £2,395 a year.

A non-repayable bursary is available for young students studying elsewhere in the UK. This payment is additional to your loan entitlement. The full bursary of £545 a year will be available if your parents' income is less than £19,730 per annum.

Part-time students (studying at least 50% of a full-time course) may be eligible for an income-related loan of up to £500 a year to help with course related costs.

Income Assessment

All support for living costs for higher education, except Disabled Students' Allowance, is income assessed. This means that your financial and personal circumstances are taken into account when a decision is made about the support you will receive. Parental income is not a factor in assessing independent students, but your own 'unearned income' and your spouse's income will be taken into account.

Every student who applies for assistance must make a formal declaration of his or her total income from all sources during the academic year.

Income earned by working during term or holiday time will not affect your student support entitlement though unearned income in excess of specified limits will reduce your entitlement on a pound-for-pound basis.

Students who are absent from their studies because of illness or caring responsibilities can continue to receive support through SAAS. After recovering or ending your caring responsibilities, if you have to wait until the start of the next academic year to rejoin your course, you may be entitled to claim Job Seekers Allowance.

Independent Status

We will consider you as being 'independent' if you meet at least one of the following conditions:

• you are 25 before the first day of the academic year for which the loan is being assessed
• neither of your parents is alive
• your were married before the first day of the academic year for which the loan is being assessed
• you have been supporting yourself with earnings or benefits for any three years immediately before the first day of the academic year in which the course begins.

Specific Help for Students with Dependent Children

This help is available to full-time students only.

Lone Parent's Grant
There are special provisions for widowed, divorced, separated or single students bringing up children. If you have at least one dependent child, a yearly grant of £1,180 is available to you.

Lone Parents Childcare Grant
If you receive the Lone Parent's Grant you can also get help of up to £1,100 per year for your formal childcare costs such as childminders, after school clubs and providers of day care and education. If your children are aged 8 or under, the childcare provider must be registered with the local authority.

Childcare Fund Support
You can also benefit from the new Higher Education Childcare Fund, particularly if you're a lone parent or mature student. Support from this fund is discretionary, administered by institutions themselves, and is only available to meet the costs of formal/registered childcare. You should contact your university or college for more information.

Other Financial Help

Students with an adult dependant

Full-time students can claim the income assessed Adult Dependants Grant, to a maximum of £2,395 per year.

Students with Disabilities

If you have extra course related costs as a direct result of your disability, you may be able to claim the Disabled Students Allowance ( DSA). DSA can help students with disabilities pay for items of equipment, non medical personal help, or certain other course-related requirements.

DSA is not income assessed and you should contact your college, university or SAAS for further advice and an application form.

Travel Costs

You may also claim travelling expenses for those costs that are necessary in connection with your course.

Hardship Fund

Students can apply to their institution's Hardship Fund if they have financial difficulties that might prevent them gaining access to higher education, or continuing their course. Colleges and universities have discretion to provide payments to students who are moving from the benefit system to take a course.

How To Apply

Application forms are available from your college, university or SAAS. You must apply for your fee, loan and grants through SAAS.

Here are examples of how the support may work:

Full-time lone parent student

Sandra is 29 and currently works as a receptionist; she is a divorced mother of two and has been accepted by university to study a full-time degree in French. As a lone parent Sandra is worried if she will cope with living and childcare costs.

Sandra's tuition fees are paid in full by SAAS and as an independent student she is entitled to the maximum loan of £4,195. As a lone parent she is also entitled to £1,180 Lone Parent's Grant and can claim the Lone Parents Childcare Grant of £1,100 as she has formal childcare costs. Some universities provide childcare facilities but in Sandra's case they do not, and she will use her childcare grants to fund registered childcare.

Her employer has offered her some hours in her job as a receptionist that she can fit around her studies. This earned income will not affect her loan or childcare grants. She is also aware that if she gets into financial difficulty during her course she may be able to claim discretionary awards from the Childcare and Hardship Funds that are administered by the university. Sandra has accepted her place at university to study.

Part-time Parent

James is married with one child and earns less than £15,000 per year; he would like to improve his qualifications to increase his earning potential. He has applied for an Open University degree but is concerned about the tuition fees and the cost of updating his old computer.

As James is on a low income the Open University has advised him he does not have to pay any tuition fees. SAAS have also advised him he meets the eligibility criteria for the £500 student loan. He has been advised that he can apply for this loan for each year of his studies to help meet study related costs such as equipment, books, travel etc. James is delighted and intends to use the money to update his computer when he starts his course. He is also aware that if he gets into financial difficulty during his course he may be able to claim a discretionary award from the Hardship Fund that is administered by the university.

What is the Graduate Endowment?

The Graduate Endowment is a fixed amount that some graduates have to pay after completing their degree. For students starting in session 2004-05 the amount is £2,154, and for all new liable students in 2005-06 the amount will increase by the rate of inflation. The funds raised are used to provide student support, including bursaries, for future generations of students.

Some graduates are exempt from making contributions including:

• mature students ( i.e. assessed as independent);
• lone parents entitled to a Lone Parent's Grant during their degree;
• disabled students eligible for support through the Disabled Students' Allowance scheme during their degree;
• students undertaking an HNC/D course;
• students taking less than two years to complete their degree course immediately after completing an HNC/D;
• students taking less than three years to complete their degree course in all other circumstances;
• students taking a degree course in nursing or midwifery or any degree course that attracts a Health Department bursary in each year;
• students who have failed to meet the requirements to be accredited with a degree;
• those studying for their degree outwith Scotland;
• those studying part-time; and
• those who have previously been a student in publicly funded Higher Education.

Other Sources of Funding

New Deal for lone parents

If you're a lone parent who works less than 16 hours a week, or not at all, and your youngest child is under 16 years old, then you might be interested in the New Deal for Lone Parents ( NDLP).

This specially designed programme helps lone parents who want to work, to find a job that suits their lifestyle. If you think you may need training but are unsure where to get help, then New Deal may be right for you. Support and advice is available to:

• help you find full-time training or education;
• help you find and organise childcare provision; and
• find work.

If you attend a course lasting one year or less which is approved by your Personal Advisor, then help with childcare costs may be available.

If you want to find out more about New Deal for Lone Parents or arrange to see a personal adviser, call the information line on 0800 868 868 or visit your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office.

ILA Scotland

ILA Scotland is a new scheme that can help you pay for a wide range of learning with a variety of approved learning providers. If you are over 18 years of age, live in Scotland and earn £15,000 or less per year then you may qualify for up to £200 each year towards the cost of learning. All ILA funded learners must make a minimum personal contribution (at least £10) towards course costs.

A "universal scheme" is due to be rolled out this summer (2005) and this will provide up to £100 per year for learners undertaking accredited Information Communications Technology ( ICT) courses up to SVQ Level 2 (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 5) or recognised ICT courses of a similar level.

For information on the scheme visit the ILA Scotland website www.ilascotland.org.uk or phone the ILA Scotland helpline 0808 100 1090 for advice about what learning is available or to obtain an application form.

Career Development Loan

If you cannot get assistance from SAAS, or any other public funding, to help pay for the course you want to do, you may be able to apply for a Career Development Loan ( CDL). CDLs are managed in partnership with a number of high street banks and can support a wide range of vocational courses.

A CDL can support a course as long as it:

• is related to a job (not necessarily to a current job)
• lasts no more than two years plus up to one year's practical experience that is part of the course, where relevant

You can borrow from £300 to £8,000 and use the loan to cover up to 80% of your course fees plus all your related expenses - including books, childcare, travel expenses and any costs associated with disability.

If you have been out of work for three months or longer at the time of application, you can apply for a CDL to cover 100% of your course fees.

You will not have to make any repayments while you are training and for up to one month afterwards (or up to 17 months if you are unemployed when repayments are due to start). During this time, the government will pay the interest on the loan for you. At the end of this period, you become responsible for the loan repayments and any further interest.

Benefits

Jobcentre Plus assesses students' entitlement to income-related benefits.

Most full-time students are not entitled to social security benefits. However if are not required to be available for work, mainly single parents and disabled students, you may be able to study full-time and still claim Income Support and Housing Benefit. If you want to take a course of full-time education you should always ask at your local Jobcentre Plus office how this will affect your benefits.

If you are currently eligible for certain income-related benefits you may still be entitled to them when you become a part-time or distance-learning student.
It is important to discuss this with your college or university student adviser as well as the local Jobcentre Plus office.

If you're out of work and studying part-time you could still qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, as long as your course is less than 21 hours a week and you can show that you're still available for work. Check this out with your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Additional assistance you receive for travel and study expenses should not affect your benefits

Tax credits

Students with dependent children are entitled to claim Child Tax Credit from the Inland Revenue. Students who are receiving the maximum amount of Child Tax Credit are also entitled to free school meals for their children (but not if you or your partner receive Working Tax Credit). Contact your Local Education Authority for more details on how to apply for free school meals.

Students who work more than sixteen hours a week could also be eligible for Working Tax Credit, which is designed to make work pay for those on lower incomes. Extra help is also available to those who are disabled or who are caring for disabled children.

Getting Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit may also entitle you to health benefits such as free prescriptions, free dental treatment and free eye tests.

Again, how much help you get depends on your circumstances. To find out, visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits or call the Tax Credit Information Line on 0800 500 222. For more information about how tax affects students, check www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/students . You can also drop into your local Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre (listed under Inland Revenue in the telephone directory).

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit helps you with the cost of your rent if you're on a low income. You wouldn't normally qualify if you're a full-time student but you may be able to get this support if you're disabled or have children. Your local council will advise you and provide you with application forms.

Council Tax

You don't normally have to pay council tax if you're in full-time further or higher education. You may also be able to get a reduction in your council tax if your partner is a full-time student. For further information ask your local council.

Childcare Information Services

Childcare Information Services ( ChIS) provide information and guidance on a full range of services for children including options and availability on

• Nurseries;
• Pre-School Education;
• Playgroups;
• Childminders;
• Crèches;
• Out of school childcare;
• Counselling Services for children and families;
• Additional Support Needs contact agencies;
• Childcare Training.

If you want to know more about services for children and families in your area, you should contact your local Childcare Information Service. There are 30 local Childcare Information Services in Scotland, one in each local authority area
(the Ayrshire authorities operate a joint ChIS). Each has a website linked to the national site www.childcarelink.gov.uk and their own telephone helpline.

Local ChIS Contact Details

Aberdeen City
01224 649172

Aberdeenshire
0800 298 3330

Angus
01307 473663/473649

Argyll and Bute
01369 708 504

Ayrshire
0845 351 3000

Clackmannanshire
01259 452 453

Dumfries and Galloway
0845 601 0191

Dundee City
01382 433 900

East Dunbartonshire
0141 570 0091

East Lothian
0800 0288 629

East Renfrewshire
0141 577 3990

Edinburgh City
0800 032 0323

Falkirk
01324 506 632

Fife
01592 414 838

Glasgow City
0141 287 5223

Highland
0845 601 1345

Inverclyde
0800 052 9126

Midlothian
0131 271 3754

Moray
0845 6011302

North Lanarkshire
01236 812281

Orkney Islands
01856 873535

Perth and Kinross
0845 601 4477

Renfrewshire
0141 840 3853

Scottish Borders
01896 758186

Shetland Islands
01595 697460

South Lanarkshire
01698 527 154

Stirling
01786 442 626

West Dunbartonshire
0800 980 4683

West Lothian
01506 776 660

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
01851 707462

Further Information

To find out more about the financial help available or for answers to any queries contact:

Student Awards Agency for Scotland ( SAAS)

SAAS deal with financial support and give advice to eligible Scottish students in higher education. Application forms and the SAAS guide are available on the SAAS website. If you have any questions about your eligibility or about payment of fees or bursaries you can contact SAAS at:

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

Your Local College

For more information on further education student support please contact your local college. For a list of local colleges contact the Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education at:

tel: 0131 313 6500
email:info@sfc.ac.uk
web:www.sfefc.ac.uk

Childcare Link

This service offers web based information and details of local Children's Information Services. These provide face to face and phone advice on all aspects of childcare.
web:www.childcarelink.gov.uk

Learndirect Scotland

If you want to get into learning but aren't sure where to start, contact learndirect Scotland, and one of their advisers can help you choose from thousands of learning opportunities, offered by learning centres, colleges and universities in Scotland.

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

Careers Scotland

Careers Scotland gives guidance to anyone in Scotland about work or learning. The aim is to increase participation in learning, employment and provide guidance. Find out more on their website, www.careers-scotland.org.uk

Inland Revenue

Call the Tax Credit Information line on 0845 300 3900 or visit their website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits

One Parent Families Scotland

Produces a range of information for lone parents and runs a helpline on topics such as benefits, employment, maintenance and funding for education. Their booklets on Further and Higher Education for Lone Parent Students in Scotland contain information on funding, childcare and many other aspects of life as a lone parent student. Free copies are available to individual lone parents - ring to request a copy, or see the versions on their website.

tel: 0800 018 5026
email:info@opfs.org.uk
web:www.opfs.org.uk

One Plus

Provides advice, information and group support on topics such as education, training and employment opportunities.

email:enquiries@one-plus.org.uk
web:www.oneplus.org.uk

SKILL Scotland - National Bureau for Students with Disabilities

Skill's Information Service gives free information and advice to disabled people, and those working with them, about post-16 opportunities including Further and Higher Education, employment, work-based learning and volunteering. Contact their Information Service from Monday to Thursday between 1.30 and 4.30pm on:

tel/text: 0800 328 5050
email:admin@skillscotland.org.uk
web:www.skill.org.uk

Child Poverty Action Group

CPAG's new online information service - the Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook - is now available. This is a fully searchable version of the 2nd edition of the Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook and is available to use free of charge from their website.
web:www.cpag.org.uk at http://scottishhandbooks.cpag.org.uk

Funding for Learners

For more information regarding this booklet contact:

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

Other Publications available include a summary of the funding support that is available to students, 'Helping you meet the costs of learning: Your Guide to Funding' which is available free of charge from:

tel: 0131 622 8283
email:business.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk
or from our website at www.scotland.gov.uk/fundingforlearners