Part-time fee waiver scheme
In order to qualify for the Part-Time Fee Waiver scheme, a student must be following a part-time programme of study that is credit-bearing at undergraduate level (Higher Education levels 7, 8 or 9): modules on the Evening Degree programme or taken in undergraduate daytime part-time mode are all eligible.
Students who already have a first degree are not immediately eligible for a Fee Waiver for another undergraduate degree, but may be considered if they satisfy other aspects of the criteria.
Students should be domiciled in Scotland or classed as eligible for funding, according to the Students' Allowance (Scotland) Regulations 2007.
The scheme is intended for those whose income is at or below the level of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, and those who are unemployed. The student must meet at least one of these 6 conditions:
- The student's family is in receipt of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, or income-based Job Seekers Allowance.
- The student is in receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Carer's or Attendance Allowance.
- The student is a registered job seeker, and has been so for a continuous period of no less than 6 weeks before the day they matriculate.
- The sole income to the student's family is DWP benefits
- The net income of the student's family is lower than the threshold for receiving income support.
- The student is reliant on the State Pension.
A 'family' can be: a mature single student, a married or unmarried couple, a couple in a civil partnership, a married or unmarried couple or couple in a civil partnership with dependent children, a lone parent with dependent children.
To claim the Fee waiver, students must provide Registry staff (when they come to matriculate) with, preferably, 'official documentary evidence of their entitlement'. This could be one of the following: a letter from JobCentre Plus confirming name, address and benefit entitlement; a copy of the cover and first page of the family member's benefit book; P60; wage-slip; letter from employer; letter from accountant, if self-employed; copy of bank statement confirming income and expenditure. Please also complete the Fee Waiver Application Form (PDF, 20 KB)and take it with you to matriculation.
If it would be helpful, the Part-Time Degree co-ordinator can make enquiries of Registry staff, in advance, about eligibility and/or documents needed.
Fee Waiver Guidance 2012-13 (PDF, 22 KB)
Scottish Funding Council Circular June2012 (PDF, 357 KB)