Increased support for college students, including more cash for bursaries, has been welcomed by the sector.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council have set out how additional funding for further education will be spent.

Bursaries and childcare will receive £1.9 million, while £2.1m will help some college regions meet demand. Meanwhile, £6.6m has been allocated for additional places and £4m will help colleges merge.

The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland welcomed the money for bursaries. "While the Scottish Government's college budget cuts were a disappointment, it's good to see money put back into college budgets being used positively," NUS Scotland president Robin Parker said.

"Bursaries provide vital funding for students to be able to afford to enter education, and an increase in student support can only have positive effects on retention."

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "I am pleased to be able to map out how we can further support the sector and its students. Increased student bursaries will mean more money in the pockets of our hard-pressed students in times of economic difficulty."

The Government announced the extra cash for 2013-14 and 2014-15 earlier this year in a late change to the Budget. Opposition parties say the money only serves to reduce previous cuts to the sector.

John Henderson, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said: "The decision to reverse proposed cuts was welcomed by the college sector when the Budget was announced in February.

"The Cabinet Secretary's detailed guidance includes some good news for learners such as a modest increase in bursaries next year to match inflation.

"Colleges have also been instructed to allocate more provision for adult learners, who account for the vast majority of students."