Early learning and childcare: national induction resource

Appendix C

Funding for Tuition

There are different routes to achieving the qualifications required for registration, 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 other means of achieving your registerable qualifications, such as college based learning, 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 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. 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.

Further information on other funding available to support those seeking to gain a recognised qualification, and information on funding for training courses can be found here –

• Funding for training | Scottish Social Services Council
• Funding sources for qualifications | Careers in care | SSSC