Early learning and childcare: national induction resource

Appendix C

Funding For Tuition

There are different routes to achieving the required qualifications including apprenticeships. If you are undertaking qualifications via an apprenticeship, the costs of the tuition are met directly by Skills Development Scotland. The total amount of funding depends on the type of apprenticeship, qualification level and age of the apprentice. Further information about apprenticeships and funding can be found on the Apprenticeships.Scot website.

For all of the other qualifications you may undertake, you will be expected either to apply for funding to cover the costs of tuition or to self-fund. In some cases, your employer may be willing to meet these costs. Where costs are not covered by your employer, you may be eligible for a part time fee grant (PTFG) through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). You will be eligible to apply for this provided that:

• Your course is an SCQF level 7-10 (HNC to degree level including PGDEs);
• You are completing between 30-119 SCQF credits (120 SCQF credits for Open University);
• You are studying at a registered Scottish learning provider;
• Your personal income is below £25,000;
• You are not receiving any other type of government funding including Individual Training Account (see below) and SAAS full time funding at the same time; and
• You satisfy the residency conditions.

The PTFG will not affect any course of funding you wish to do at a later date and will not affect any benefits you receive. You need to have a place on the course first before you can apply for PTFG funding. You have 6 months after your course start date to apply. You can find out the cost of courses and how much funding would be available (if you are eligible) through SAAS from your local college or training provider. A sector specific leaflet setting out full details is available for download here, which includes other helpful hints and tips. If the PTFG does not cover the full cost of the course, you may be able to apply for funding for the top up fee from your local authority. Please contact your local authority for more information.

Another source of funding for part-time courses is the Individual Training Account (ITA). Through this route you may be eligible to receive up to £200 towards a single course or training episode per year. You will be eligible for ITA funding if you are:

• Aged 16 or over;
• Not in full time education or involved in any other Skills Development Scotland (SDS) funded programme;
• Unemployed or furloughed and looking to get back into work or employed and earning less than £22,000 per year;
• Resident in Scotland.

For more information, you can visit the My World of Work which provides a search function for all approved ITA courses, or the SSSC’s career website which has information about funding in its Frequently Asked Questions page. This source of funding also applies to continuous professional learning (CPL).