Financing Your Studies

Before starting your College course, you must make sure you have suitable funding support to finance your studies.

Funding Support

All funds are extremely limited and applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.

Applications for funding support must be submitted by the designated deadline. However the application for funding support does not in itself guarantee payment of the award, as funds are restricted.

Students should not make important decisions affecting their studies or employment until written confirmation as to eligibility for an award has been received.

Once a student has accepted an offer of a full-time place at College, an email is issued giving details of how to apply to the Students Award Agency Scotland (SAAS), for funding to cover tuition fees &/or apply for a student loan) or how to apply for further education funding. A student guide providing further information is available on our website. SAAS website: www.saas.gov.uk

Students attending a full-time course, which leads to a qualification up to, but not including, Higher National Certificate, may be eligible for a Bursary or Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

These funds have two main elements – a maintenance allowance, which may include contributions towards necessary books and equipment, and a travel ticket, if appropriate. Bursaries and EMAs are means-tested and take account of parental, spouse or student income.

Students applying from outwith Scotland will need to have sufficient funding in place to cover their tuition fees and other course costs e.g. equipment and books, and be able to support their transport, accommodation and living costs for the duration of the course. If you are from England, Northern Ireland or Wales, you will need to contact your Local Education Authority for funding advice and/or assistance.

If you are eligible for funding support, some financial help may be available to assist you with childcare costs. This will give you the option to place your children into a nursery or with a registered childminder, to allow you to study at home. Your award will be based on your timetabled hours but we realise that you may not always be able to stick to these set times. This will allow you more flexibility to study around the everyday challenges that you will be facing during these difficult times. If you are studying a further education course, you can request help with childcare costs when completing your online funding application. If you are studying a higher education course, please contact the Student Funding Team at studentfunding@borderscollege.ac.uk.

If you require help with accommodation costs we may be able to offer funding through the college Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

If you are eligible for funding support, some financial help may be available to assist you with childcare costs. This will give you the option to place your children into a nursery or with a registered childminder, to allow you to study at home. Your award will be based on your timetabled hours but we realise that you may not always be able to stick to these set times. This will allow you more flexibility to study around the everyday challenges that you will be facing during these difficult times. If you are studying a further education course you can request help with childcare costs when completing your online funding application. If you are studying a higher education course, please contact the Student Funding Team at studentfunding@borderscollege.ac.uk.

Students studying on a Further Education Level Programme

An electronic travel ticket is normally available to students who live more than 3 miles from their College base and who qualify for funding support.

If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel. Applications for cards are now open.

How to Apply for Free Bus Travel

There are several ways to apply for a new or replacement Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC):

Online at getyournec.scot

Directly with your local council. You can find their details on the Young Scot website Young Scot National Entitlement Card | Young Scot.

Already have a National Entitlement Card (NEC)?

If you’re aged between 16 and 21 and you already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC, you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel. Active cards are those received since 2016 – they’ll have a long number next to the ITSO logo and, if there’s a date of birth shown, it will be highlighted with a pink strip. Transport Scotland’s Pass Collect app

Transport Scotland Pass Collect app 'how to guide' - YouTube

For more information about the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme, please visit the Transport Scotland website -   Transport Scotland

In the future the College will expect you to use your free travel entitlement to access bus travel to and from college. If you are not sure and would like further advice around travel and your NEC Card please contact the College on studentadvice@borderscollege.ac.uk

Students studying on a Higher Education (HNC/HND) Level Programme

Higher Education Students are entitled to apply for funding support from Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Students on SAAS support receive a contribution towards travelling expenses within their award and are required to budget for their daily travel to and from College from the monthly SAAS allowance paid.

Sustainable Travel

Travelling to Borders College

The College aims to encourage both students and staff to utilise sustainable and integrated modes of transport for commuting to and from College. Our objectives are to minimise environmental impact, improve safety, and ensure our facilities and services are accessible to all sections of society.

Apply for Funding

Further Education Student Funding applications are now open.

The deadline date for submitting your application for Bursary/EMA funding is 30 June 2022.

If you’re doing a course below SVQ level 4 or SCQF level 7, it’s considered an FE course. If you're a further education student, living and studying in Scotland, you may get funding to help with your studies.

The funding may cover your living, travel and study expenses.

The amount you receive can be based on your:

  • eligibility as a Scottish or EU student
  • course
  • household income
  • personal circumstances

Once you have accepted your place on a qualifying course, we will send you an email inviting you to apply for funding and giving you a link to our online application system. All applications are made via the online application system. Discretionary fund applications will open in August.

Once you have received your invitation to apply for funding you will need to register on our online funding system as a New User and activate your account, even if you have used our online application system in previous years.

A helpful video showing how to activate your account can be viewed using the following link: Activate Account.

You will only need to complete one online application for assistance from the Bursary/Education Maintenance Allowance fund.

Once you have completed your funding application you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt. If you do not receive this please double check your application status to ensure you completed the SUBMITprocess fully.

Separate online applications are available for childcare funding and discretionary funding. Discretionary fund applications will open in August.

For further information for students, please visit the Scottish Government’s new student information website. This website includes a budget calculator and a funding checker, which provides an estimate on how much you could potentially receive.

 

Higher Education Student Funding applications open on 1 April 2022.

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) provides funding for eligible students who are doing a higher education course in the UK.

If you’re doing a course at SVQ level 4 or HNC (Higher National Certificate) or above, it’s considered an HE course.

The funding covers your tuition fees, living, travel and study expenses.

For full information and to apply for SAAS funding, please visit the SAAS website. If you require any assistance, please also visit the Student Advice Centre to meet with an adviser.

For further information for students, please visit the Scottish Government’s new student information website. This website includes a budget calculator and a funding checker, which provides an estimate on how much you could potentially receive.

There may be additional help available if you are worried about money while you are attending college. These funds open in August, after you have enrolled on your course.

Please make an application to the discretionary fund by contacting studentadvice@borderscollege.ac.uk. You can also make a request for financial support through the college’s self-referral form on your student portal. Funds are limited so please apply as soon as possible.

It can do, although the College may be able to give you a one-off payment. Universal Credit is not affected by one-off payments.
Once a member of staff has reviewed your application they will be in touch to let you know if it has been successful.

We have a team of Wellbeing Advisors working in the Student Advice Centre. Advisors can help you with the process. Get in touch at studentadvice@borderscollege.ac.uk.

You can get money advice here: 

https://borderscollege.sharepoint.com/sites/StudentAdvice/SitePages/Moneu.aspx

 If you would like to arrange 1-1 budgeting support, contact the Student Advice Centre on studentadvice@borderscollege.ac.uk.

Funding your Part Time course

More information on funding available for part time courses. 

Learn More
The Turing Trust Group

Funding Information 22/23

Download

Bursary, EMA, Discretionary and Childcare Fund Payment Dates

Download

Terms and Conditions of Bursary and Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Awards 2023/24

Download

Attendance Requirements

For Bursary, EMA & Student funding. 

Read more
Borders College class

Education Maintenance Allowance, Bursary and Student Support Funds Appeals Procedure

Download

Concessionary Fares and Free Travel

Download

Statement of Childcare Costs

Download

Funding Guide

Further information and guides can be found on our website under the Future Students section – Financing Your Studies. The Scottish Government has also created a new website - Student Information Scotland at www.studentinformation.gov.scot. This website has information on all aspects of both Further and Higher Education student funding in Scotland. It also has a useful budgeting tool and funding checker, as well as a whole host of other useful information for students. Please contact the Student Funding Team at studentfunding@borderscollege.ac.uk if you have any questions or require any further information.

  • All based on information received from the Scottish Funding Council and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) at the time of going to print.
  • Any student who finds themselves in financial difficulty as a result of studying a vocational course may apply for assistance from the Student Support Funds.

*RUK – UK students from outwith Scotland. Full tuition fee information is available on request.

Tuition Fees

Providing students apply and meet criteria set by Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), otherwise full tuition fee is payable.

You should complete the SAAS online registration and funding application on or before 30th June 2021 to have your funding in place at the start of your course. Please use the following link.

Tuition Fees apply to RUK* students.

*RUK – UK students from outwith Scotland. Full tuition fee information is available on request.

Payable Maintenance/ Childcare/Travelling Expenses/Course Expenses

Maintenance/Travelling Expenses/Equipment Books
Apply for SAAS grant and means-tested/non means-tested student loan/grant.

For the various supplementary grants please refer to the SAAS website using the following link: SAAS

Childcare/Housing/ General Hardship
Possible help with funding through Higher Education Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

Tuition Fees

If in receipt of certain State Benefits which have been fully evidenced.

Students may also be eligible to apply for a part-time fee grant towards the cost of tuition fees, with any outstanding balance payable by the student.

Application process usually opens in the April before your course starts, please use following links to apply before your course starts:

Once you have downloaded and completed your application form please email it to finance@borderscollege.ac.uk
If not in receipt of certain state benefits, fees will be charged at a set rate per module/unit studied.

Payable Maintenance/ Childcare/Travelling Expenses/Course Expenses

SAAS part-time fee grant, provided course and student meets the eligibility criteria.

Childcare/Housing/ General Hardship
Possible help with funding through Higher Education Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

Tuition Fees: None

Providing student meets criteria of National Fee Waiver Policy, otherwise full fee is payable.

Tuition Fees apply to RUK* students.

*RUK – UK students from outwith Scotland. Full tuition fee information is available on request.

Payable Maintenance/Childcare/Transport Costs/Course Expenses

Maintenance/Help with Transport Costs/Equipment Books
Apply for means-tested College Further Education Bursary.

Childcare/Housing/General Hardship
Possible help with funding through Further Education Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

Tuition Fees: None

Providing student meets criteria of National Fee Waiver Policy, otherwise full fee is payable.

Tuition Fees apply to RUK* students.

*RUK – UK students from outwith Scotland. Full tuition fee information is available on request.

Payable Maintenance/Childcare/Transport Costs/Course Expenses

Maintenance
Apply for means-tested Education Maintenance Allowance.

Help with Transport Costs
Help with transport is normally available to all ‘home’ students who live more than 3 miles from their College base and qualify for funding (paid from College Bursary funds).

Equipment Books
Normally awarded to all ‘home’ students who qualify for funding (paid from College Bursary funds).

Childcare/Housing/General Hardship
Possible help with funding through Further Education Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

 

Tuition Fees: None

If in receipt of certain State Benefits and studying less than 16 hours per week.

If not in receipt of State Benefits, fees will be charged at a set rate per module/unit studied.

Payable Maintenance/Childcare/Transport Costs/Course Expenses

Help with Transport Costs/Equipment Books
Must be eligible for fee waiver to qualify for a part-time College Further Education Bursary.

Childcare/Housing/General Hardship
Possible help with funding through Further Education Student Support Funds (conditions apply).

Student Funding Additional Notes

The following documents can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. All require Adobe Reader

For Further Information

For further information please contact the Student Funding Department:
email studentfunding@borderscollege.ac.uk or Student Wellbeing Advisors:
email studentadvice@borderscollege.ac.uk