Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong
Learning announced today that the ILA500 scheme will be extended in
2010-11 to include qualifications at SCQF level 11. He said:
"Postgraduate skills are recognised as increasingly important for
forging the knowledge-based economy which is crucial for continuing
the economic recovery and beyond.
"More than 70 per cent of Scottish taught postgraduate students
study part-time; a hugely important part of our current
postgraduate provision.
"I am delighted that we are continuing this support and are able
to contribute to the difficult task of widening participation in
higher education.
"We introduced the £500 grant for part-time postgraduate
students for the last academic year. It has proved successful,
providing real help to existing graduates who are working,
facing redundancy or unemployed.
During the past academic year, the ILA500 scheme provided
partial fees support of £500 to more than 400 part-time students on
low incomes or who are on benefits.
It is hoped the scheme will provide an immediate, short-term
benefit to people affected by the downturn, whether in the
workforce, facing redundancy or unemployed.
Reacting to the current economic climate and the higher than
usual level of graduates affected by redundancy, the Scottish
Government has decided to extend the scheme for another year.
More than three million people in Scotland can now access ILA
Scotland funding. ILA500 is an extension of the ILA200 which
provides up to £200 a year for learners to fund mainly shorter
courses to brush up their skills or learn something new.
ILA Scotland funding can be used with around 390 approved
learning providers across Scotland, offering over 22,000 courses.
This includes colleges, universities, private training providers,
voluntary and community-based providers and distance-learning
providers.