Support for part-time study and disabled students: consultation analysis - summary of Citizen Space findings (strand 1)

Consultation questions for students, potential students, parents and carers: 524 responses received

Support for part-time study and distance learning

78% Felt the financial support available from SAAS (Student Award Agency Scotland) or their college/university helped them to complete their course (Question 8).

59% Felt the current eligibility criteria for the Part-Time Fee Grant are effective at focusing support for students who need it the most (Question 11). There were calls for individual income thresholds to be increased.

56% Indicated that introducing living cost support for part-time or distance learning study could affect their learning experiences and study habits (Question 12), with most comments highlighting positive impacts.

Support for disabled students

63% Indicated they would not change their experience of receiving Disabled Students’ Allowance (Question 21 – support for Higher Education students).

47% Would prefer funding support to be paid directly to students, 38% prefer it to be handled by colleges, and 15% favoured another approach (Question 23 – support for Further Education students).

77% Felt the financial and other practical support they received from their college helped them with their studies (Question 24 – support for Further Education students).