Claims that thousands of people were left waiting for college places have again been dismissed as false by the Scottish Government.
Work by the Government and Scottish Funding Council shows only a fraction of the suggested 21,000 were still interested in securing a place, Education Secretary Michael Russell said.
Colleges Scotland put forward the initial figure in a survey of 36 establishments last year.
The new study, which examined all applications to seven colleges, suggests only 4% of the figure were waiting, the Government said.
Mr Russell said: "Today's report confirms that claims about college waiting lists were wrong.
"We have been clear from the start of this discussion, and through the interim findings presented in my update to MSPs in January, that the claim that thousands of students were being turned away from Scottish colleges was untrue.
"Having increased funding by £61 million over the spending review period compared to plans in the draft Budget statement, our commitment to Scotland's college sector is absolutely clear.
"We will work with Colleges Scotland to deliver the necessary improvements in the applications process demanded by this audit in order to better meet the needs of our young people."
