Student Funding and Money Support

You can apply as soon as you’re offered a place on your course. If you’re enrolling in a Further Education course, you’ll automatically receive an invite to apply via your registered email address.

If you are studying at higher education level (HNC or HND) then you must apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland at www.saas.gov.uk. Both Further and Higher Education applications must be done online.

If you need help completing your application, the Information Hub team can assist you. Contact them on 0300 303 0303 or info@ayrshire.ac.uk to request a callback or on-campus appointment.

If you're studying at HNC or HND level, you'll need to apply for funding through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) at www.saas.gov.uk.

If you need help with your application, our Information Hub team is here to assist. You can request a phone consultation or arrange an on-campus appointment by emailing the Hub team. A staff member will guide you through the application process.

To get in touch, call 0300 303 0303 or email info@ayrshire.ac.uk to request a callback or schedule an appointment.

Our funding process is paperless, so all documents must be submitted electronically. You can upload documents directly to your online funding account or email them to the relevant funding team.

Contact the Information Hub team for assistance. If necessary, you can bring your documents to the nearest campus, where a staff member will photograph and securely upload them.

You’ll be notified during the initial assessment if you’re not eligible for funding, along with instructions on how to appeal if applicable.

You can check your funding application status anytime by logging in with the email and password you used to set it up. Your checklist will show if anything is outstanding, with incomplete items highlighted by a red cross. We’ll also send automated reminders to your registered email address every two weeks, requesting any outstanding documentation. Please keep your email address updated with student funding.

Here’s what the document status colours mean:

Grey: We no longer need this document.

Green: We have received this document, and no further evidence is needed for this category.

Documents Requested: This means student funding staff have yet to review your documents and application. If all documents are marked off, no further action is required. If some documents are not marked off, we cannot move your application forward until the requested information is submitted.

If you’ve submitted the requested documents, but they haven’t been marked off, please allow 5 working days for them to be matched with your application and reviewed.

If your application is marked as ‘Admin Checked’ it means your documents have been reviewed, and your application is in the queue for calculation before you receive your award letter.

If you received funding last year, you don’t need to resubmit proof of ID we’ll use the one on file. However, you will need to provide all other documents, as we assess your application based on your current personal and financial circumstances.

If you received funding last year as a Care-Experienced student, you do not need to resubmit proof of ID or your care experienced evidence as we will use both documents that we have on file. However, you may need to provide all other documents, as we assess your application based on your current personal and financial circumstances.

You can monitor your application status online using the email and password you set up. The system highlights any outstanding documents with a red cross, and you’ll receive regular email reminders if anything is missing.

For Further Education students, award letters are sent directly from the College’s funding team. Higher Education students will receive theirs from SAAS. Payments are made according to the dates outlined in your award letter.

If you’ve forgotten your funding application password, use the “Forgot your Password” link on the login page. Follow the prompts to reset it.

Payments are made according to the schedule in your award letter. Please make sure all required documentation is submitted and your acceptance is confirmed to avoid delays.

Your payments may be withheld if you’re not fully engaged or if your attendance is unsatisfactory. This will be reflected in your register marks, which you can view through the MyAyrshire app.

Your engagement is monitored regularly. If you’re facing difficulties, you can speak with a Student Funding Assistant or Engagement and Wellbeing Advisor for support. You can contact them via the Student Funding email or the Info Hub.

If you’ve received a text and email from Student Funding regarding payments, it could be for one of two reasons:

1. Payment issue alert: We’re informing you of a potential issue with your upcoming payment based on your attendance/engagement register. If you have any unauthorised absences or have exceeded your self-certification allowance, your payment(s) will automatically be placed on hold. We notify you in advance so that you can address any attendance or engagement issues with your curriculum team before the payment date.

2. Payment Confirmation: We’re letting you know that your payments have been released, and you’ll receive them soon. We’ll send you a text and email two days before the payment is due to be deposited into your bank account. These notifications align with the payment dates on your award letter. The email will not only confirm what you’re being paid but also inform you if there are any pending payments and explain why.

If you need to speak to a Student Funding Assistant, you can email the team with your enquiry or call them at 01563 495033. If your enquiry cannot be answered via email, please include a contact number for a call back. We also have staff available on each campus if you prefer to speak to someone in person.

If your enquiry is about course fees or payments, please contact our Finance team. You can reach them via email at coursefees@ayrshire.ac.uk.

You may be eligible for discretionary funding if you’re in financial hardship. Contact the Student Funding Team for advice.

Childcare funds are available for eligible students. Contact the Student Funding Team for more information.

Invoices are sent directly to your childcare provider. You’ll receive an email confirmation when this happens.

Ayrshire College’s financial support policies are designed to ensure that students remain engaged, progress in their courses, and maintain satisfactory conduct. Payments from Bursaries, EMA, Childcare, and Discretionary funds depend on these factors.

Unauthorised absences and disengagement can result in withheld payments. You’ll be notified via email or text if this occurs. Ensure you check your college email regularly and submit any required self-certificates promptly.

Your attendance record is available online through your MyAyrshire App. You can also submit self-certificates for absences here.

Payment and attendance monitoring schedules are available on the College’s website and through the my Ayrshire College app.

For further assistance, contact the Student Funding team via email or phone, or visit the Information Hub on your campus.

• Applications for Bursary, EMA, Discretionary, and Childcare funding are accessed through the College’s online funding system (CAMS).
• Childcare invoices are processed digitally, with no hard copies accepted.
• Award letters and acceptance forms are sent electronically, and documents can be uploaded directly to your funding account.

The Funding team will also send payment alerts via SMS and email, and student quickguides are available for download above.