Patna Education & Training Fund

About this fund

This fund is made available by the owners of the South Kyle Wind Farm to improve opportunities and livelihoods for people living in Patna.

The fund is in a pilot phase so this guidance may change in due course.

At the moment you can apply if your course is long-term (one year or more) or shorter (1 day or even less, or taught over a period of weeks or months).  If your course is long-term, the fund can currently only support you for one year.

Grant Size:

• The maximum award is up to £1,000
• Equipment costs are cup to £700
• Driving lesson costs are capped at supporting passing the theory test and practical exam costs only, up to £300

Purpose of this fund

The Patna Education & Training Fund provides grants of up to £1,000 to help local people aged 16 or over to take up and progress through education and training courses, to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of further training or employment opportunities. It helps people overcome financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from starting, completing, or participating fully in courses. 

Funding can be used to cover course fees where these cannot be met from other sources and support costs such as study aids, equipment and accommodation. The fund can also support travel, subsistence or childcare to enable attendance. 

Participation in a wide range of courses can be funded (full or part-time), including Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (though not PhDs), and short vocational courses. Short courses may last a few days or less, or an applicant might be on a course covering a number of years. 

For short courses under a year, an applicant can apply for part or all of the course fee. For courses of one year or longer, the fund can offer a maximum of £1,000. The overall maximum award (combining fees and subsistence) for all courses is capped at £1,000.

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, and stationery, technical aids/equipment e.g., specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, and other specialist equipment are capped at £700. 

Travel and subsistence costs e.g., bus, train or petrol, meals etc. at a flat rate of £15 per day. 

Support for driving tuition is contained to supporting passing the theory test and practical exam costs only, capped at £300 or where you are seeking a driving qualification related to employment such as contribution to HGV licence, construction cards or trailer test.

Additional criteria

There is no restriction on the sector or subject chosen. The important thing is that you are committed to completing the study and showing how it will help you realise your employment ambitions. 

Grant payments will generally be paid directly into the individual’s bank account. Where awards relate to course fees, payment may be made directly to the course provider if appropriate. 

Those receiving grants will be expected to provide a written completion report of the skills and knowledge they have gained as a result of the award.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to individuals aged 16 or over, living in the Patna Community Council area with an offer for an education or training course can apply. 

Your application is to increase your employment potential.

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here. 

• Costs for high school pupils to attend external college courses are not eligible. 
• Costs that are already covered by a school, college, the Council or other body - we expect University and college students to have explored funding available from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS - see 'Useful Links' below). 
• Private tuition providing additional support to the school curriculum cannot 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.
• This fund does not support the cost of driving lessons.

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.