GrantRadar

Foundation Scotland

Barrhill Education & Training Fund

Bursaries for individuals aged 16+ resident in the Barrhill Community Council area (South Ayrshire) to access education and training that helps them enter or retain employment or set up their own business. Short courses can get up to £1,000; courses of a year or more up to £1,000 a year for up to three years, with an overall cap of £3,000. Funded by Barrhill Community Interest Company from ScottishPower Renewables and Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company wind farm money, administered by Foundation Scotland, with decisions by the Board of Barrhill CIC; no deadlines.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £3,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Light
short form, little evidence needed

Who can apply

  • Individuals aged 16 or over resident in Barrhill (Barrhill Community Council area, South Ayrshire) applying for a further education or training course at college, university or with a reputable training provider
  • Normally you should apply before the course starts, but for courses of a year or longer you may apply after starting
  • Apprentices can apply for costs they cannot claim back; school pupils attending a college course part of the week can apply for costs not covered by school, college, Council or others
  • Employed people can apply but may be asked why their employer can't or won't contribute
  • Repeat applications are allowed (except for driving lessons) with a strong rationale such as progression; repeat awards may be lower than requested
  • Organisations cannot apply

What it funds

Costs directly related to attending a course or apprenticeship, long (one year or more) or short (a day or less up to weeks or months), full or part time:

  • Course fees only where these cannot be waived or funded any other way
  • Study aids and equipment (laptops, software, stationery) up to £500
  • Technical aids/equipment such as specialist clothing and tools
  • Travel and subsistence (bus, train, petrol, meals)
  • Accommodation
  • Childcare to allow you to study
  • Driving lessons and practical/theory tests, including employment-related driving qualifications such as a contribution to an HGV licence, construction cards or trailer test (capped at £1,000 total, one award only)

Eligible courses include Modern and Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications and short vocational courses at college, university or a reputable training provider.

Opportunities leading to formal/recognised qualifications (with SVQ ratings) are favoured; others are considered where the skills will realistically help secure or retain a job or set up a business.

Short courses under a year: up to £1,000; multi-year courses: up to £1,000 a year for up to three years; overall cap £3,000.

Part-time awards are pro-rated.

What it will not fund

  • Costs already covered by a school, college, the Council or other body (university and college students are expected to have explored SAAS funding)
  • Courses, or costs of courses, that you have already finished
  • Training or equipment your employer should provide, or that is necessary to carry out your current job
  • Apprentice costs that can be claimed back from the employer or another source
  • Private tuition providing additional support to the school curriculum
  • A second award for driving lessons (driving costs can only be applied for once)

How to apply

  1. Read Foundation Scotland's application criteria and the fund page, and optionally review the individual application form questions (PDF)
  2. Apply as soon as you are sure you are taking the course and have been accepted, allowing up to four weeks for processing before the course starts
  3. Set up an online portal account with a working email address and complete the online application form
  4. Upload a recent bank statement, evidence of your home address and your offer letter from the employer/college
  5. Foundation Scotland reviews the application, may contact you to clarify or review it, and takes it to the Board of Barrhill CIC, which decides awards
  6. If successful, accept the emailed grant offer on the secure online portal; the grant is paid by BACS once any conditions are met
  7. After 12 months, send a report on how you used the grant, including a written summary of skills and knowledge gained; keep receipts

If you need a decision more quickly, Foundation Scotland will try to process it immediately but cannot guarantee this.

If the fund is oversubscribed, Barrhill CIC may not fund every applicant or the full amount requested.

Have ready

  • Recent bank statement showing your name, address, account number and sort code (scanned, photographed or electronic copy)
  • Evidence of your home address (e.g. driving licence, SAAS letter, a bill, or an official letter such as from the Scottish Exam Board, school, NHS, tax office or a payslip)
  • Confirmation of your course enrolment or offer letter / confirmation of a place
  • Evidence of how costs have been calculated

Attendance confirmation, qualification certificate and receipts (e.g. for a laptop) may be requested later; keep receipts for up to 12 months.

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