Funding Your Studies

Making the decision to study is a big financial commitment, and the following information is designed to help you get started in raising the funds you need to come to ICC.

Counting the Cost

The financial cost of coming to college is not only about covering the cost of fees, and it is important that you consider all the financial aspects of being a student:

• How much money will you need? Fees and college amenities; living costs such as rent, food, utilities, etc; social life (it’s not wrong to budget for a holiday every now and again, and a trip to the cinema occasionally)
• What about income tax and national insurance? Whether or not you are coming to college straight from school or are coming back into study it may be helpful to get some advice on your tax allowance and national insurance contributions.
• Savings and pensions? If you contribute to savings or pension schemes you may need to consider whether this is something you are able to continue to do while you are a student. Before you make any decision about this, however, you should seek appropriate financial advice.
• What is your own attitude to money? Thinking about studying can be a prompt for you to think about your whole attitude to money – what are your financial priorities, and what standard of living is appropriate, are just a couple of the questions you might think about in the light of Scripture.

Prayer

It may seem obvious, but bringing your financial needs to God is a good place to start. We have a God who provides for our every need, but at the same time asks us to play our part. So bring your prayers to God, and at the same time explore all the avenues for funding that are open to you.

Funding Providers

Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

For those studying full-time for their first degree who are permanently resident in Scotland or from the European Union (but not the other nations of the United Kingdom), SAAS currently cover around one third of the tuition fee (which SAAS pays directly to the college each year). SAAS also offer access to student loans.

You can apply to SAAS for a part-time grant of up to £500 a year if you are 16 or over, you earn £22,000 or less a year and you are studying 40 Scottish Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits in a year.

This part-time fee grant is paid direct to the college and put towards the cost of your tuition fees.

The Scottish Government have also provided additional funds for part-time students to the college and university Discretionary Funds.

The Carnegie Trust for Universities in Scotland

This trust aims to help Scottish students, taking their first degree who do not receive government funding towards the costs of their studies.

UK Nations Other than Scotland

Information about funding can be found from the following agencies:

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance NI
• Education Support for Northern Ireland
• Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) offers advice and guidance for adults in Northern Ireland returning to learning.

Asking for Financial Support

Whether approaching your church, your family, or your friends, asking for financial support can be a difficult thing to do. The following may help you as you seek personal support:

• Before you speak with people make sure you have all the information to hand. People are likely to ask you about your programme of study (Why did you choose this particular programme/college? How long is the programme? How much does it cost? What do you think you will do when you graduate?), and about other sources of funding.
• Whether approaching individuals or the church, it can be helpful to have resources to give to them. We can provide you with leaflets about the college and copies of our magazine Insight. Contact the college (college@icc.ac.uk) for these resources. Make sure you also have printed information about how they can support you to hand (eg who to make cheques payable to, Stewardship information (see below)).
• At your church, talk to the leadership explaining clearly your needs. If possible ask to be able to speak about your programme of study to the whole church, especially if you are taking it by way of preparation for future ministry. Encourage your church to support you in prayer as well as financially – both are important.
• With family and friends, make a list of the people you want to approach, and where possible meet with them face-to-face rather than writing to them. Make sure they know that their support is important to you as it helps you prepare for future ministry.

If you receive financial support from individuals or your church make sure you continue to communicate with them:

• It sounds simple, but remember to write a thank you letter (whether on paper or by e-mail) as soon as a gift comes in. It shows how much you appreciate it.
• While you are at college keep in regular contact with supporters (this can be good training for future ministry). Prayer and newsletters can be sent in print or by e-mail, or use social networking to keep people up-to-date with what’s happening (for example set up a Facebook group called ‘so and so’ at ICC where you can let people know what’s going on).
• Take an interest in your supporters, remember to answer e-mails and to ask about them; pray for your supporters.

Stewardship Account

If you are studying full-time for at least one academic year you may be eligible to receive charitable support via Stewardship, to which supporters can contribute (if they are UK tax payers Stewardship can also make a claim for Gift Aid tax relief).

Gifts from close relatives are excluded from the scheme.

For more information visit the Stewardship website.

Working

Often students take on a part-time job to earn some extra money. At ICC classes for a particular course are all timetabled at the same time each week which makes it easier to plan part-time work around classes.

Please note, BA (Hons) Youth & Community Work students work for a church or agency for up to 20 hours a week (in addition to their classes) for which they are normally paid.

Benefits

If you are a parent or carer and become a full time student you may be entitled to claim certain benefits to help with those responsibilities. Contact your local authority or Citizen’s Advice Bureau for more information.

As a student you may be entitled to Council Tax exemption or benefit. Advice for students in the Glasgow City Council area can be found here.