One way of partially financing your studies with Open College of the Arts is by taking out a Part-Time Fee Grant [PTFG] with Student Awards Agency Scotland [SAAS].
-
The Part-Time Fee Grant is a form of funding provided by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Unlike a loan, this grant does not need to be repaid and is designed for students who are studying at a part-time pace.
- The grant provides partial funding toward undergraduate tuition fees.
- You apply to fund units (modules) once per year.
- Your household income must be below a certain threshold set by SAAS.
- Fees are paid directly to OCA, so you don’t have to manage the transactions.
-
Yes. Because Open College of the Arts courses are fully accredited degree programmes, our undergraduate degrees qualify for the Part-Time Fee Grant from Student Awards Agency Scotland, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Funding awarded usually covers around a third of unit (module) fees. You would be expected to pay the difference between your Part-Time Fee Grant award and the cost of a unit.
-
To qualify for the grant while studying with Open College of the Arts, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
- Meet residence conditions.
- Your household income must be below a set threshold.
- Have left full-time compulsory education, such as high school.
-
No. There are no maintenance loans or grants outside of the Part-Time Fee Grant for those studying an undergraduate course with Open College of the Arts.
-
Studying with Open College of the Arts is unique because of our flexible study and multiple intakes throughout the year. However, it is important to note that the “academic year” runs strictly from 1 August to 31 July, and SAAS applications must be submitted no later than 31 March.
For example, if you plan to begin a course with Open College of the Arts in June 2026, you must have submitted your grant application to SAAS no later than 31 March 2026.
If you plan to study more than one unit within the same funding year, you must notify SAAS directly to secure your funding. Missing these deadlines may mean self-funding or waiting until the next academic year to access further support.
- For course start dates between August and 1 December: If you wish to study additional units after 1 December, you must inform SAAS before 1 December.
- The March Cut-off: For all other additional units intended for the current academic year, you must notify SAAS before 31 March.
Because the SAAS grant provides partial funding, there will be a “shortfall” (a remaining balance) to pay each time you enrol. To make this manageable, OCA offers flexible payment options:
- Standard Payment: You pay the initial deposit, and the remaining balance can be split into manageable monthly instalments.
- Bursary Support: Alternatively, you may be eligible for an OCA Learner Support Scheme Tuition Fee Bursary, which can cover all or some of the difference between the grant and the full fee. Please note that these bursaries are subject to availability and specific criteria.
-
- Choose Your Course: Pick the OCA degree pathway you wish to study and submit your enrolment form.
- Apply to SAAS: Visit the SAAS website and complete the Part-Time Fee Grant application, adhering to the application deadlines. You will need to provide proof of income (such as P60, payslips, or benefit statements).
- Provisional Award: Once SAAS processes your application, they will send eligible students a provisional award.
- Complete Registration: Once our Finance Team has verified the payment for the shortfall is in place, your enrolment to a specific intake will be officially confirmed. When induction is complete, SAAS will confirm your award and the details of your grant, and you are free to access your course materials and begin your creative journey.
To help make the application process easier, we’ve created a guidance document which provides all the course information you need from OCA to complete your application.
FAQ
Funding FAQAsk a Question.
Contact us here.