Funding for part-time students

The Scottish Government has announced that around 20,000 part-time students across Scotland will be able to apply for new support from 1 July.

The support - provided in the form of a £500 grant - will be open to new and existing higher education students earning £18,000 a year or less and studying at 50 per cent or more of a full-time course. Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt encouraged all those eligible to apply.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the Scottish Government's intention to introduce the £500 part-time grant for the academic year 2008-09, on December 7 last year.

This is a new grant with £12 million, £13 million and £13 million allocated over the period of the spending review.  It will be delivered through ILA Scotland. Application packs can be obtained through the ILA Scotland helpline on 0808 100 1090.

Scottish Government news release: Funding for part-time students