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Kirkcowan Education & Training Fund

Grant size Up to £2,000
Area
Dumfries and Galloway
Key dates  
Rolling Programme: No deadlines, but please ensure you apply at least 4 weeks before the date you need a decision

About this fund

Kirkcowan Community Development Trust was established in June 2015 to manage Community Benefit Funds from two local wind farms: Scottish Power Renewables Kilgallioch Windfarm and RES Glenchamber Wind Farm.
 

Education and Training Grants are available to each Kirkcowan resident for one or more grants up to the maximum of £2,000. In cases where an applicant has already received an Education and Training Grant but is still under the £2,000 threshold, they may reapply for a further course/s until they reach that limit.

 

There are no set deadlines but please contact us in good time before your course is due to start so that the Trust can reach a timely decision for you. The application and decision-making process should take no longer than 4 weeks.

Purpose of this fund

Kirkcowan Community Development Trust is committed to encouraging and supporting people who wish to study at university/college or to undertake short courses which can provide them with new skills and increased job prospects. By investing in educational opportunities, the Trust seeks to support the community of Kirkcowan to develop new skills and to seek new opportunities. Applicants must demonstrate how the bursary will contribute to this outcome.  

The scheme allows for any individual resident in the Kirkcowan Community Council Area to apply for grants to support them with full time university/college courses or with accredited short courses. Awards can support 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/materials

  • Technical aids/equipment e.g. specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, other specialist equipment. 

  • Travel and subsistence costs e.g. bus, train or petrol, meals etc. 

  • Accommodation costs

  • Childcare costs to allow you to study

Additional criteria

  • Opportunities leading to formal/recognised qualifications (and with SVQ ratings) 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 or retaining a job or in setting up their own business.
  • Offer letters from employers/colleges should be submitted as part of the application.
  • Those receiving grants will be expected to provide a written summary of the skills and knowledge they have gained as a result of their course, helping to evidence the impact the grant has made.

Who can apply?

Education and Training Grants

 

The scheme is open to permanent residents aged 16 and over who live within the Kirkcowan Community Council Area (KCCA) and wish to undertake the following:

  • University Courses (must be full time)
  • HNC/HND Courses (must be full time)
  • Training courses/Open university courses
  • Practical courses, such as chainsaw courses, first aid courses, etc. 

 

Courses must be approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or similar. 

 

All courses must be completed in full by the applicant. Applicants are required to provide written evidence of acceptance on a course. 

The education or training opportunity may be long-term (one year or more) or shorter (1 day, or less if taught over a period of weeks or months). You should apply before your course starts, but if your course is for one year or longer, you may apply if you have already started. Apprentices can apply for costs that cannot be claimed back from their employer or another source.

You can apply if you are still at school but attending a college course for some of the week. However, you're only eligible to apply for costs not covered by your school, the college, the Council or other sources (see 'Useful Links' below).

 

The Fund will accept applications from individuals who are currently employed. Depending on the costs being sought, applicants may be asked to discuss why their current employer can't or won't contribute to training costs.

 

Driving Test Grants

 

It is recognised that Kirkcowan is a rural community at some distance from the local service town and from infrastructure such as statutory facilities. The ability to drive is a significant factor in reaching employment, education and training opportunities, and to quality of life in an area with poor public transport infrastructure.

 

The sum available is £23 for the car theory test and either £62 or £75 for the driving test for cars depending on whether it’s a weekday or evening/weekend/bank holiday.

 

£23 for the motorcycle theory test and either £75 or £88.50 for the on-road motorcycle text depending on whether it’s taken on a weekday or evening/weekend/bank holiday.

 

Please note:  

Only tests related to categories A (motorcycles) and B (cars) are eligible and applicants must be permanent residents in the Kirkcowan Community Council area. The Driving Test Grant Scheme covers only one driving theory test and one driving practical test for each applicant. Applicants must provide documentary proof of a test booking, clearly showing their name and address. As DVLA require payment at the time of booking, in this instance applicants must necessarily make payment to DVLA before submitting their grant application to KCDT. Applicants are required to evidence their test attendance and results.

What can’t be funded?

In line with Foundation Scotland's common eligibility criteria, the Trust cannot support the following:

  • The advancement of religion or party politics
  • Activities that are the statutory responsibility of statutory authorities
  • Activities contrary to the interests of the fund donors, Kirkcowan Community Development Trust, or Foundation Scotland; or those likely to bring them into disrepute
  • Anti-renewable energy/windfarm activities; or
  • Retrospective funding (i.e., paying for costs incurred before a decision on an application to the Fund for support can be made, including the repayment of loans or debts).

In addition to this and for the purposes of the Kirkcowan Education & Training Grant, please be aware:

  • The Trust will not support training that an employer should be providing for an individual or is necessary for an individual to carry out their current job.
  • The Trust will not support activity that is considered to be a statutory responsibility of statutory bodies. This includes delivery of core curricular work in schools.
  • Students attending secondary school but also college for part of their week are eligible to apply for a bursary. However, the Trust will only be able to contribute costs that are not covered by statutory provision, i.e. through the school, the college or the local authority.
  • You cannot apply courses or costs associated with courses that you have already finished.
  • The Trust 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.
  • Private tuition providing additional support to the school curriculum cannot be funded.

How are decisions made?

Applicants can apply at any time online using the Foundation Scotland online grant portal. There are no set deadlines but please contact us in good time before your course is due to start so that the Trust can reach a timely decision for you. The application and decision-making process should take no longer than 4 weeks.

Foundation Scotland staff will check that the application meets the eligibility criteria, including checking for any previous awards. If the applicant meets the eligibility criteria, the Foundation will process the grant and report back to Kirkcowan Community Development Trust. Where there is any uncertainty about eligibility, the application will be taken to the Board for further discussion, before a decision and feedback is relayed to the applicant. 

If the fund is oversubscribed then Kirkcowan Community Development Trust may not be able to offer an award to every applicant, or may not be able to fund the full amount requested on that occasion. 

How to apply

Applications are submitted online using the link below. You will need:

  • A working email account that you can access - to set up an online portal account through which applications are submitted online.
  • A recent bank statement - this is so that we have the correct details for paying your grant if you are successful. A scanned or photographed or electronic copy will need to be uploaded during the application process. We only need to see your name, address, account number and sort code on the official statement - we do not need to see any transaction or balance data.
  • Evidence of your home address - this could include a driving licence, SAAS letter or a bill (for example for your mobile phone). Any official letter (for example from the Scottish Exam Board, school correspondence, NHS appointment letters, tax letters or a payslip). If you are at college or university, they may be able to provide something suitable.

If you have any problems applying online or setting up your portal, please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk or call 0131 524 0300 (during office hours) and we will be pleased to help.

Please allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed before your course starts. If you need a decision more quickly, we will do our best to process your application immediately but we can’t guarantee this.

We may get in touch to check some details about your application so please regularly check emails and messages after submitting your form in case we are trying to reach you.

If you are successful, Foundation Scotland will email you a grant offer, which you need to accept on the secure online portal.  

After 12 months we will ask you send in a report saying how the grant has benefitted you. The Trust will be keen to hear about the positive impact a grant has had, and feedback from grantees can encourage others who may benefit to apply. We will always ask your permission before sharing any feedback more widely.

Apply here
Click here for the Kirkcowan Community Fund
Kirkcowan Community Development Trust Website

Frequently asked questions

  • What can I apply for?

    Your course may be an Apprenticeship/NC/HNC/HND, a degree or a shorter course taking place over a few days or weeks.  The most important thing is that you live in Kirkcowan and want to improve your skills and qualifications.

    Here are some examples:

    Robert has been working on the family farm since leaving school but wants to change tack. He wants to carry on working on the farm but do a part time accountancy course, with a view to changing career.

    Olivia has got a place to study at college in Ayr which means she can save on accommodation costs and live at home - but she’s wondering if she can get financial help to learn to drive because the bus and train times don't fit with her class times.

    Colin is being made redundant next month.  He’s seen an ad for agency driving jobs but needs a class-2 HGV licence.

    Sarah has got into Uni in Glasgow but up until now has been using the family's shared laptop to do schoolwork. She's looking for help to buy her own laptop and to cover some of her student accommodation costs.

    Emma worked in charity administration before starting her family. Her kids have left home and she wants to update her IT skills to help her get back to work. 

    Gillian is keen to find work now her children are all at school. She doesn’t drive and realises this is a barrier to lots of the jobs she is looking at.

  • When should I apply?

    You should apply as soon as you are sure that you are going to take the course and have been accepted onto it. We will normally respond to your application within four weeks. Please tell us about any important dates relating to your course, for example, registration or start date, or the date for a decision about any other funding towards it. If you need a response sooner than this, please get in touch with us as soon as you can. We will do our best to turn your application around in good time.

  • What evidence do I need to provide?

    • You will need to provide your offer letter or confirmation of a place on the course, or a statement by someone from the educational institution confirming you have been attending regularly.
    • You may be asked to show receipts for laptops or other items over £100 at the end of the grant period - please keep records for up to 12 months in case this is requested. 

  • How is the grant paid?

    If you are offered an award you will need to log on to the secure portal and accept the terms and conditions of grant. The grant is released when any conditions set on the grant have been fulfilled and you will be paid by BACs into your bank account.

    This states that you must spend the award as described in your application form. 

    If your plans change you will need to let us know as soon as possible. It may be possible for you to retain the award, for example, if you intend to switch courses, or if you fund another training provider offering a better deal. But you must tell us your circumstances have changed in the first instance. 

    You will also be required to provide some feedback on your experiences to demonstrate the impact of the support you received from the fund. 

Contact information

For application process and technical enquiries

Central Systems Support

For grant enquiries

Rosanna Dobson - Grants Officer

Useful Links

Careers advice and training course listings at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) (My World of Work)

Information about other potential sources of funding:

Bus passes: