Student Support
We provide funding to colleges for bursaries, childcare, Education Maintenance Allowance and discretionary funds for students up to, but not including, Higher National Certificate level.
We work with colleges to develop policy and look at how the funding is allocated through the Further Education Student Support Advisory Group (FESSAG) and Student Support Network. We also issue public consultations on Student Support matters.
SFC Student Support Guidance
Bursary fund guidance
The National policy for further education bursaries guidance sets out the conditions for use of bursary funds allocated to colleges by SFC.
Discretionary fund guidance
The Discretionary fund guidance sets out the conditions for use of the further education discretionary fund.
Childcare policy guidance
The Childcare policy guidance sets out the conditions for use of the childcare funds by colleges.
Fee waiver grant guidance
The Fee waiver grant guidance describes the categories of students for which a college may use the fee waiver grant from SFC.
EMA guidance
The EMA guidance for colleges explains the EMAs (Education Maintenance Allowances) that are available across Scotland to young people aged 16 to 19.
Further information
For further information, email: studentsupport@sfc.ac.uk.
See also Advice for students.
Student Information Scotland
The Student Information Scotland (SIS) portal is a new Scottish Government resource which puts information about FE and HE student funding and finance altogether in one place for the first time, including help for parents, carers and education professionals. The site has recently gone into public beta test phase and feedback is welcome.
Information for colleges
Student support policies
Residential eligibility
Support for Asylum Seekers in Further & Higher Education
The leaflet, Support for Asylum Seekers in Further and Higher Education [PDF], is for asylum seekers living in Scotland who are undertaking or thinking about undertaking a further or higher education course at college or university and explains the funding that is available from the Scottish Government and colleges and universities.
Prince’s Trust Team Programme - Credit Guidance
SFC has been working with The Prince’s Trust to clarify the position on their ‘Team Programme’ activity in relation to SFC’s new credit model. Guidance is available from SFC Credit Guidance - The Princes Trust Team Programme [PDF].
Current position on Princes Trust Courses and student support funding
If the college is claiming credits for a Princes Trust Course then any students attending this course can be assessed for bursary funds.
This includes bursary funds for care-experienced students also taking into account what is the best option for the student as set out in the bursary guidance.
However, if the college is not claiming credits for the course then the student cannot be assessed for student support funds.
Associated SFC information
Benefits
Other funding
Student Support Regulations
These links to the regulations and legislation instructions underpin our Student Support policies.