Is there any funding to study at Edinburgh College of Art?

Edinburgh College of Art offers 20 scholarships for international (non-EU) students each year.  Selection for this is competitive, merit-based, and each award is worth £2,000.  All international (non-EU) students are considered for this award provided their application for study at the College is received by the end of May, and final selection is made by nomination from the relevant Head of School.

Edinburgh College of Art also has a small, discretionary fund for international (non-EU) students experiencing financial hardship.  International Bursaries range in value between £1000 and £2000 reduction in tuition fees.  Details of how to apply are included in your offer letter for a place of study at the College.  For more information and the application form for this fund please email us.

Scotland's Saltire Scholarships

Edinburgh College of Art is pleased to announce it will participate in the newly launched Scotland's Saltire Scholarships scheme for 2009/10, applicable to postgraduate taught (MA, MFA, MSc, MLA and March) students from China, India, USA and Canada.  This scheme is an extension of the former Scotland USA Graduate Scholarships Scheme. 

Application forms  are now available for download and should be submitted once you have been offered a place (conditional or unconditional offer) to study at Edinburgh College of Art.  The deadline for applications is the 12 June 2009.  Please send your completed applications to international@eca.ac.uk

Eligibility criteria are:

• must be a citizen of China, India, Canada or the USA
• must not have studied in Scotland before (a short period of study abroad at undergraduate level may be acceptable)
• must have an offer of admission for either an MA or MFA programme at Edinbutgh College of Art (please note, for the two year MFA programme this award would only be granted for year one, and is not extendable).

Please visit www.scotlandscholarship.com for more information. 

Other sources of funding

There may be some possibilities for funding outside the College.  The British Council maintains a website with detailed information about funding for international students, including a searchable database of scholarship programmes.

Additional information can be found in an on the  UK Council for International Affairs (UKCISA) website.

More possibilities may exist in your home country or community.  Organisations such as the Rotary Foundation may participate in a scholarship scheme.  It may be worthwhile to contact your local education authority as well as do an internet search for additional funding opportunities.

Stafford Loans   

Stafford Loans are US government guaranteed loans designed for US students to study both domestically and abroad at selected institutions, and may offer subsidised interest throughout the time of studying, dependent on whether the student demonstrates sufficient financial need.  Edinburgh College of Art is eligible to certify Stafford Loan applications from US students. 

The loans are eligible to cover not only tuition but also living costs throughout the duration of the programme of study.  There are three main types of loans available: 

Subsidised loans are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students who demonstrate a need for financial aid. In the case of subsidised loans, no interest is charged while a student is enrolled, during a grace period, or during authorised periods of deferment.  Interest begins to accrue when the loan enters repayment. 

Unsubsidised loans are awarded to undergraduate and postgraduate students regardless of financial need.  However, borrowers are responsible for the interest that accrues during all periods.  While a student is enrolled, during a grace period, or during authorised periods of deferment, the borrower has the option of paying the interest or having the interest capitalised.

Federal PLUS Loans enable parents, on behalf of their dependent undergraduate children, or postgraduate/professional students to borrow additional funds.  Borrowers are responsible for the interest that accrues during all periods.

In order to apply for Stafford Loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the FAFSA website and enter the College’s school code G12360. 

To assist you, the College has developed a Stafford Loans Application Guide

Note:  All scholarship and funding schemes are subject to availability of funds, and details given here are subject to change at any time.  Potential applicants are urged to check information regularly to ensure they are aware of current procedures, deadlines etc.

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