Funding your studies

Student finance is complex and depends on a whole range of factors:

• the type and level of course you are aiming for
• your age and personal circumstances, the household income, your family situation.

The type of funding you get will also vary. it might include:

• a loan which you have to pay back at some time in the future
• a bursary or grant which is not repayable
• payment of tuition fees
• and, in some cases, a combination of the above.

The application process for the different types of student finance varies too. The articles listed below are available on PlanIT Plus and will give you an introduction to the main sources of student support in Scotland. And information to help you start sorting out the finance for the course you want to do.

• Funding for staying on at school or college: Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
• Funding for full time further education: college bursaries and other types of financial help
• Professional and Career Development Loans (PCDLs)
• Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs)

• Educational trusts and charities

• Sponsorships and scholarships

• Funding for part time study

The 'Funding for full time higher education' article includes information on:

• Tuition fees
• Young Students' Bursary
• Students' Outside Scotland Bursary
• Student loans for living costs
• Allied Health Professions
• Health Department Bursary
• Nursing and Midwifery Bursary
• Dentistry and Medicine
• NHS Scotland Dental Bursary Scheme
• Supplementary grants and allowances
• Financial help from other sources
• Useful addresses