Cairnryan Education and Training Fund

About this fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of Cairnryan 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 fund is provided by monies from the Cairnryan Community Fund.

Purpose of this fund

The purpose of the Cairnryan Education & Training Fund is to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Cairnryan, geographically defined by the community council boundary.

Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications will be favoured, 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 it is for 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 and many others including driving lessons where it is expected that driving will increase opportunities.

Additional criteria

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 any other means
• Study aids and equipment e.g. laptops, software, stationery (up to £600)
• Technical aids/equipment e.g. specialist clothing relating to the course, tools or other specialist equipment
• Travel e.g. bus, train or petrol
• Accommodation costs 
• Driving lessons and driving practical and theory test - where an education or training opportunity is distant from the individual’s residence and public transport not viable, or where it is expected that driving will increase opportunities – up to £1,000

The level of the grant depends on the course you want to do and your own situation. For short courses under a year, you can apply for part or all the course fee, up to a maximum of £2,000. If the course fee is less than £2,000 the fund may be able to assist with the cost of travel, childcare and subsistence.  

For courses of one year or longer and full-time the fund can offer the following levels of grant:

Type of Course	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Modern Apprenticeship (day release)	£2,000	£1,500	£1,000
NC, HNC, HND, Degree	max. £2,000*	max. £1,500*	max. £1,000*

*The amount awarded for this will depend on course fees and other costs.

For courses of one year or longer and part-time the fund can offer a contribution to travel, childcare and subsistence-based on £5 per study day and/or a contribution to essential equipment up to £600 in Year 1 only.

Please provide information on the full costs that you need to meet in relation to the course. For example, if you are taking a week-long course that costs £400, you will only be able to apply for £400 plus related travel & subsistence. If you receive funding from elsewhere, for example, £100 towards the course fees, you will only be able to apply for £300.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to individuals aged 16 or over and living in the Cairnryan Council area.

What can’t be funded?

• You cannot apply for funding for any costs incurred before a decision can be made on your application (retrospective funding).
• We will not fund training or equipment that your employer should be providing for you or that is necessary for you to carry out your current job.
• Apprentices cannot apply for any cost that can 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. The assessment will include details of the course and finances but will not include any personal details, so your anonymity is upheld at the Community Fund Panel.

The outcome of the decision will be sent to you by email. This information is also confidential and while we report on grants from the education and training fund, no individual's name will appear in the report.