AFF highlighted that dependants of serving military personnel in Scotland can be unfairly disadvantaged when applying for courses, as part of the Scottish Government’s consultation on further and higher education funding.
AFF requested that the Scottish Government:
- provides 16 to 18-year-old dependants of serving UK military personnel in Scotland access to the same further education funding as they would receive if living in England;
- reviews access to funding by allowing military families the opportunity to fairly establish their ‘ordinary residence’ in Scotland based on their length of cumulative time in Scotland, family connections, and economic and social contribution;
- takes into account the voice of the young person when considering their funding access for further and higher education in Scotland, given the significant impact that the policy has on their life choices. This will enable them to demonstrate their Scottish identity and affinity to Scotland, as many complete their education in Scotland, or have lived periods of their lives in Scotland, but have had to live elsewhere due to Service life.
In its response, the Scottish Government acknowledged the challenges of the current policy, and agreed to consider the situation for Armed Forces families further.
Highlights of AFF’s submission are in section 5, and the Scottish Government’s response is at section 6 at GOV.SCOT: Further and higher education – residency criteria for access to financial support: consultation analysis
POSTED ON 19 MAY 2023