An Introduction To Paying Your Course Fees

NC Courses (SCQF levels 1-6)

Most full-time non-advanced students, who are ordinarily resident in Scotland before the start date of the course will not have to pay fees for their course. Eligibility is based on your nationality, residency status and duration of residency in the UK or Scotland. If you are unsure if you would meet residency criteria, please contact the Finance team at coursefees@ayrshire.ac.uk to obtain a copy of the residency questionnaire. Should you not meet the residency criteria you may be liable for the full cost of the course. Details of course costs can be found here. (link to tuition fees)

HNC/HND Courses

You must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for your tuition fees and/or student loan to be paid every year you are studying.

Part-time Fee Waivers

If you receive certain state benefits you may not have to pay the tuition fee for part-time day or evening class courses, for example: 

• Income Support 
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance 
• Incapacity Benefit 
• DLA (Disability Living Allowance) 
• Working Tax Credit 
• Universal Credit 
• Personal Independence Payment 

 

For further information and guidelines regarding entitlement to a Part-Time Fee Waivers you can contact our Finance Team.

Part-time Fee Grant (PTFG)

If you are studying a Part-time Course and not entitled to a Fee Waiver, you may be entitled to some help towards your fees with a Part-Time Fee Grant through SAAS.

To receive funding, you need to:

• study an eligible higher education course
• meet SAAS’s residence criteria
• earn less than £25,000 gross (before tax and National Insurance)
  income in tax year ending 5 April 2025, including bonuses and overtime
• have left full-time compulsory education, such as high school
• A PTFG will only cover a portion of your fees so please contact Finance on 01563 537871 or email coursefees@ayrshire.ac.uk to pay your deposit and secure your place on the course.

 

It is important to make an early application to ensure your funding is in place for the start of your course, however, should your application with SAAS be unsuccessful you would be liable for the full course fee.