Financing Your Studies
Before starting your College course, you must make sure you have suitable funding support to finance your studies.
Funding Support
These funds are designed to support your financial needs during your studies, covering living expenses, course materials, travel costs and childcare. Applications are dealt with on a first come, first served basis, so it's really important to complete yours as soon as possible. You should not make important decisions about your studies or employment until you have received your award email.
For the official guide to student finance in Scotland please visit Student Information Scotland.
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.
Apply for Funding
Further Education Student Funding applications are now open.
Your fully completed application for Bursary/EMA funding should be submitted by 30 June to ensure your funding is in place for the start of term.
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.
Separate online applications are available for childcare funding and discretionary funding. Discretionary fund applications will open in August.
The deadline date for submitting your fully completed application for Bursary/EMA funding is 31 March 2026. No awards can be made after this date.
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, please see the following Link.
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.
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.
It is important that you complete your application as soon as you can because you will receive an invoice for your tuition fees if we have not received notification.
If you normally live:
- in Scotland, you'll apply to SAAS. SAAS can cover your tuition fees, whether you choose to study in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK.
- elsewhere in the UK, you’re responsible for paying own fees, which can be up to £9,535 per year.
Details on how and when to apply, and eligibility are available from SAAS. Find out who you apply to if you normally live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Full tuition fee information is available on request at finance@borderscollege.ac.uk.
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.
We may be able to offer some help with your childcare costs, if you are on a qualifying course. 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.
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 Student Support Officers (SSOs) working in the Student Advice Centre. SSOs 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.
Attendance Requirements
For Bursary, EMA & Student funding.
Downloadable policies below.
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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).
Helpful Links
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