It’s helpful to know what financial support might be available to you once you have started your studies at RCS.
Discretionary and HE Childcare Funds
The Conservatoire receives funds from the Scottish Government to provide financial assistance to those UK students who face financial hardship or who require assistance with the costs of formal childcare expenses. This fund provides supports for living/equipment costs or childcare costs only – payment of tuition fees is not covered by the Funds.
If you meet the criteria set by RCS, you will be entitled to receive a non-repayable grant. Eligibility for the Discretionary and HE Childcare Funds is limited to students who are normally domiciled in the UK and who have taken out the maximum amount of student loan (for living costs) available to them. This applies to both undergraduates, postgraduates and those on programmes within the School of Learning and Teaching. Students on Continuing Education are not eligible.
Once you have started your studies, if you are having difficulty in meeting your financial commitments, you will be able to make an application to the SAAS Discretionary Funds.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the welfare team at welfare@rcs.ac.uk.
Non-UK Discretionary Fund
The Conservatoire also has a small amount of funding available, to help students from outside the UK who find themselves in a financial crisis. If you find that you’ve had a significant change in circumstances during your studies, and are struggling to fund your everyday living costs you should apply to the Non-UK Discretionary Fund.
Emergencies
If your situation becomes acute and you find that you can’t afford to buy food, the Royal Conservatoire does have a small supply of supermarket vouchers which can be distributed in emergency situations to students who meet the criteria for the Discretionary Fund or the Non-UK Discretionary Fund. For further guidance, email: welfare@rcs.ac.uk
The International and Student Experience Team are available for appointments Monday–Friday, 9am-5pm in the Academic Administration and Support office. Online appointments are also available via MS Teams. You can e-mail welfare@rcs.ac.uk to arrange an appointment.