Borders College
Head Office
Scottish Borders Campus
Nether Road, Galashiels
TD1 3HE
Tel: 08700 50 51 52
Fax: (01896) 758179 Charity Number SC021180
Financing Your Studies
Further Education Bursary - for those aged 18 and over
Students attending a full-time course, which leads to qualification up to but not including Higher National Certificate, may be eligible for a bursary.
Bursaries have two main elements: a maintenance allowance, which may include contributions towards necessary books and equipment, and a travel ticket, if appropriate. The maintenance allowance and travel element of the bursary are means-tested and take account of parental, spouse or student income.
Bursary application forms are automatically issued to all students who have accepted a full offer of a place on a qualifying course. A guide providing further information is also issued at this time.
Education Maintenance Allowance - for those aged 16 and 17
Education Maintenance Allowances provide financial support for students from low-income families who undertake a full time, further education course at college.
If you are under the age of 18 at the start date of your course, and your household income is less than £33,156 you may qualify for an Education Maintenance Allowance.
The amount you may qualify for depends on whether you have received EMA funding, without a break, since the 2008/2009 academic year or whether you applied for the first time on or after the 2009/2010 session.
Students who received EMA funding continually since the 2008/2009 academic session.
| Household Income | Weekly Payment |
| £27,466 to £33,156 | £10 |
| £22,404 to £27,465 | £20 |
| £22,403 or below | £30 |
| More than £33,156 | £0 |
Students who apply and qualify for EMA for the first time in 2009/10 onwards
Where the household income is £20,351 or less the young person will be eligible, and will be awarded a weekly allowance of £30. Young people from households with more than one child in full-time education and where the household income is £22,403 or less will also be eligible for a weekly payment of £30 per week.
Please note that, in addition to the above, students who are normally resident in Scotland at the start of their course may receive a study expense allowance and transport from the Bursary Fund.
However, the Scottish Government has asked us to communicate the following statement to all EMA recipients:
Scottish Ministers reserve the right to review the EMA programme at any time. We plan to review the programme in December 2010. Any award made will only be guaranteed up to the end of December 2010.
The Scottish Government have also advised us that from academic year 2010-2011, bonus payments will no longer be part of the programme.
Part-time Courses
Students attending a part-time further education course may be eligible for a bursary consisting of the payment of course costs and a travel ticket. Further details will be provided with the application form, which should be requested from the Student Advice Centre.
Childcare and Additional Financial Support
Some financial help may be available to assist students who incur childcare costs while attending College. Assistance is also available towards accommodation costs and general living expenses. Funds, however, are limited and students should, in the first instance, contact the Student Advice Centre to arrange an appointment to discuss their situation
For further information please contact the Student Funding Department: telephone 01896 662517/662505 email bursaries@borderscollege.ac.uk
or
Student Welfare Advisor: telephone 01896 662516. email studentwelfare@borderscollege.ac.uk
