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Full Time (Further Education)

What Type of funding is available to me?

Tuition Fees

In most cases students studying on full-time non-advanced courses will not have to pay their own tuition fees providing that they are not repeating any area of study. However, you must apply to the Student Funding department so that your eligibility can be determined. If you do not meet the residency or other requirements you will have to pay your own tuition fees. If you require more information please contact the Student Funding office.

What Funding is available to support me when at college?

The Following may be available depending on individual circumstances:

  • Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) - This Funding is available for students who are between the ages of 16 & 18 at the start date of the course and is paid fortnightly by the college.
  • Bursary Maintenance Award - For Students who will be 18 years or over on the date their course starts.
  • Course Expenses and Travel Costs - May be available from bursary funds depending on your age and eligibility.

How do I apply for an EMA or Kilmarnock College Bursary?

All Students who wish to apply for funding can pick up an application form and a Student Guide from the College Funding Office.

Please submit your application form including all relevant documentation as soon as possible.

Please note that Kilmarnock College will not accept bursary forms without original copies of the required documentation, a list of what you need to bring in is included in your bursary form. If you need any further guidance do not hesitate to contact the Student Funding office.

Please note that not all students automatically qualify for an EMA or Bursary.

What is an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

For new students in academic session 2009/10 - this will be a weekly payment of £30 if household income is £22,403 or less for young people from families with more than one child in full-time education and £20,351 or less for all others.  

For continuing students ie those who commenced study in 2008/09 or 2007/08, payments can range between £10 and £30 per week for eligible students who attend 100% of their course.  Please speak to the Student Funding Office for information on household income thresholds if you are a continuing student.

For new and continuing students attendance for payment of EMA's must be 100%.

How are EMA's paid?

The EMA allowance will be paid every two weeks in arrears, into your bank account providing you meet the terms & conditions of the learning agreement that you sign at the start of your course. A bonus of £150 may be paid at the end of January and at the end of June depending on your progress, attitude, behaviour and attendance.

Will payments of my EMA allowance depend on my attendance at college?

Payments will not be made if attendance falls below the required level (100%) without acceptable reasons. Payments are not made during the college holidays, in October, Christmas, February or Easter.  Students are allowed to self certificate for five days in an academic session.  Any absences over these five days will result in payment being held.

How will I receive help with course expenses and travel if I receive EMA?

Students who receive an EMA allowance may be eligible for support with course expenses and travel from the College's bursary fund. To claim for these the appropriate sections in the bursary/EMA application form must be completed.

What is a bursary?

A bursary is a means tested form of student support that is not repayable (with the exclusion of overpayments). The actual amount awarded to each student will depend on many factors including your financial situation or that of your parent(s) or spouse/partner.

Will I be eligible for a College Bursary?

You may be considered for a bursary if you:

  • Have been accepted on a full time course.
  • Are studying a Non-Advanced course e.g. National Certificate (NC), National Qualification (NQ), Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ), Scottish Group Award (SGA).
  • You fulfil the residency requirements (Normally 3 years in the British Islands and resident in Scotland or you are an EU citizen)
  • Meet the conditions relating to previous study. (See below)

Students From

1) Orkney & Shetland should apply to their local councils for bursary support.
2) England & Wales should apply to their local education authorities.
3) Northern Ireland should apply to their Education and Libraries board for support.

All students should apply directly to Kilmarnock College for EMA funding.

All students must apply within 6 weeks of starting their course in order for their money to be backdated, if they do not all funds will be assessed from the date of application!!

Can I apply for a College Bursary if I have previously undertaken Full-time studies?

If you have undertaken any full-time studies since leaving school, you may not qualify for bursary support and it is recommended that you contact either a Student Funding Assistant, a Customer Service Assistant or come to the One Stop Shop as soon as possible. Further information on this is available in the student guide, which is available with the funding application form.

How are College bursaries paid?

College bursaries are paid directly into your bank account in monthly instalments, your first instalment will be paid as soon as possible once you are enrolled at the college and have signed your acceptance and the rest are paid in advance of your study.

Will payment of my bursary depend on my attendance at college?

College bursaries are dependent on your attendance at college. This is checked on a monthly basis and you must attend at least 80% of the classes you are timetabled for every month in order to receive your bursary.

What should I do if I am unsure about my entitlement or am having difficulty with my application form?

If you are unsure of how to complete your form or what you are entitled to please contact the Student Funding Office using the details provided below.

Address:        Kilmarnock College

                        Holehouse Road

                        Kilmarnock

                        KA3 7AT

Phone:           01563-495033
Fax:                01563-538182
Email:             student_funding@kilmarnock.ac.uk

Please mark all correspondence for the attention of Student Funding.

Funding for International Students

The regulations regarding international students and tuition fees/student support are complex. If you have any questions about whether you will pay 'Home' or 'Overseas' fees for your course, or whether there is any financial support available to help you in your studies please contact a member of Customer Services within the college. Call 01563 523501 for an appointment. 

Full Time (Higher Education)

This includes HNC, HND and Degree level courses offered at Kilmarnock College.

What type of funding is available to me?

Tuition Fees

In most cases students studying on full-time advanced courses will not have to pay their own tuition fees providing that they are not repeating any area of study. Students must apply to the Students Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have their fees paid if they are to have fees paid on their behalf. If you do not meet the residency or other funding requirements you will have to pay your own tuition fees.

What funding is available to support me at college?

The Following may be available depending on individual circumstance:

Student Loan, of which an element is means tested. Any eligible student can apply for a non-means tested element. Rates will vary depending on the income of your assessable parent(s) or spouse/partner.

Young Students Bursary. This is a non-repayable grant for students from families with a low income, who are under 25 years old at the start of the course and are not classed as independent. You can also apply if you have a dependant child before the start date of the academic year and, you are 24 or younger on the first day of the first academic year of the course, your partner's income details will be required unless you are a lone parent. This award will be paid as a replacement for part of your student loan, reducing the amount you need to borrow and pay back. This award will be assessed by SAAS when you submit your application form.

There are certain supplementary grants available from SAAS, which include:

  • Lone Parent Grants
  • Lone Parent Childcare Grant
  • Travelling Expenses
  • Disabled Students Allowance
  • Vocational grant for care leavers

These will be assessed with your initial application with the exception of travelling expenses; these forms should be available between December & January on-line via the SAAS website.

How are payments usually made?

Payments of your SAAS instalments will in the majority of cases be paid monthly into your bank account. Although a few students may be paid by cheque which can be collected at the Student Funding Office.

How do I repay my student loan?

The loan you receive is repaid once you are in employment and earning over a certain salary (currently £15,000 per annum). The repayment is deducted from your wages in small amounts over a period of time. See www.slc.co.uk for more details.

Contacting SAAS & applying for funding

If you have any questions or you are uncertain about your entitlement to funding you can contact SAAS using the information below:

Phone: 0845 111 1711

Website: www.saas.gov.uk           

Is there any additional funding available to students on advanced courses?

There are several ways the college will help to support students on advanced courses, these include:

  • The Higher Education Discretionary Fund, this allows students to apply for help with their rent/mortgage costs from a limited fund supplied to the college.
  • The Higher Education Childcare Fund, this allows students who may require childcare when attending college to apply for help with this cost.

Please Note. The college will only aid a student with childcare costs when using a registered childminder or nursery.

Both of these funds are cash limited and students are advised to submit an application form as early as possible.

The forms for applying for additional funding are available from:

The Student Funding Office

Tel : 01563-495044

e-mail : student_funding@kilmarnock.ac.uk