Question reference: S4W-25165
- Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 20 April 2015
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 5 May 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that college students are receiving sufficient financial support.
Answer
In the current academic year we are investing a record £104 million in further education student support meaning that students can receive bursaries of up to £93.03 per week. College bursaries rose in line with inflation in 2014-15 and will do so again in 2015-16. Unlike the UK Government, we have also retained the Education Maintenance Allowance.
For those students studying higher education courses at college (HNC/HND), a minimum income guarantee of £7,500 is available for those with a household income of less than £17,000. All students, irrespective of circumstances, are eligible for a student loan of £4,750.
Each college also operates a discretionary fund. These funds are intended to provide assistance for students in financial difficulties in order for them to access and/or continue their studies.