Ballantrae Education and Training Fund

About this fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Ballantrae Community Council area to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment. 

The funding is provided from the Ballantrae Community Fund.

Grant Size:

The maximum award is:

• First time applicants: up to £1,000
• Second time applicants: up to £750
• Any further applications: up to £500 per year.

Similarly, if your course runs over several years, any award will be capped at:

• First year of study or short courses: up to £1,000
• Second year of study: up to £750
• Any further year of study: up to £500 per year.

Please note, grant requests for funding of second or further years of study, will require a separate application to be submitted at the end of each study year.  If your first year of study is funded, there is no guarantee that any future funding requests will be successful. 

Purpose of this fund

The Ballantrae Education and Training Fund aims to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in the area. The community council boundary geographically defines this. 

Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications will be favoured, however other courses will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing a job, retaining a job or in setting up their own business.  Industries which will benefit job retention in the areas of hospitality, construction transport/logistics, motor maintenance, tourism, forestry and timber technologies, rural development, agriculture (including crofting), environmental conservation, health and social care benefiting the local community will be be prioritised. 

However, other courses will also be considered where you can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support you in securing or retaining a job. Apprentices can also apply, provided this is a cost you cannot claim back from your employer or another agency.  

Courses supported can be on a full time or part-time basis and may be Apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, short vocational courses as well as other courses. 

Additional criteria

What can I apply for:

Awards can cover costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including:

• Course fees, where these costs cannot be waived or funded through another means
• Study aids and equipment e.g laptops, software, stationery - up to £500
• Technical aids/equipment e.g.specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, other specialist equipment - up to £500
• Travel e.g.bus, train or petrol
• Accommodation costs
• Support towards costs relating to sitting a driving test up to £300
• Support towards advanced driving course for rural driving only up to £300

Study location:

We recognise that the fund area has limited further education opportunities; however, any course undertaken locally will be looked upon more favourably than a course requiring you to leave the area. By local, we would generally mean south and central Scotland. 

Who can apply?

• The fund is open to individuals aged 18 or over and living in the Community Council area of Ballantrae, however priority will given to people between the age of 18 years and 25 years. 
• Your application be for the purpose of increasing your employment potential. 
• Apprentices can apply for costs that cannot be claimed back from their employer or another source.

What can’t be funded?

• You cannot apply for funding for any costs incurred before a decision has been made on your application (retrospective funding). 
• We will not fund training or equipment that your employer should provide for you or necessary for you to carry out your current job. 
• Apprentices can apply for costs that cannot be claimed back from their employer or another source.

If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, please send an e-mail to grants@foundationscotland.org.uk 

How are decisions made?

Foundation Scotland will review your application and may contact you for further information. You will be advised of a decision approximately six to eight weeks after your application has been submitted.