A Guide to Applying for Student Funding

There can be a lot of costs involved when studying at college or university, including tuition fees, accommodation, books and general bills. The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) offer a range of support to help – but you don’t receive it automatically, you need to apply.

What support is available?

The support you’re entitled to will depend on your eligibility, circumstances, and where you are going to study, but could include:

Tuition fees paid for you, or a loan to cover the cost of your tuition. Even if you only want your tuition fees paid, you still have to apply to SAAS.
A bursary of up to £2000 (or £9400 for care-experienced students)
A loan of up to £6750 to help with accommodation and living costs
Support for additional learning costs if you have a disability
Additional support for students in special circumstances such as those who are care experienced, lone parents, or are providing care

If you’re a full-time student and want more information then check out the Undergraduate Funding Guide.

If you’re a Postgraduate student, you can apply to SAAS for funding if you are studying a course that SAAS fund and meet the residency criteria. If you are studying a full time course which SAAS fund, you can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £7000 and a living cost loan of £6,900.

Part time postgraduate students can apply for the tuition fee loan of £7000 and this will be split between the amount of years you study.

If you’re a postgraduate student and want more information check out the Postgraduate Funding Guide on the SAAS website.

How will I receive my funding?

Your tuition fees will be paid directly to your college or university. Any living costs support (such as a loan or bursary) will be paid directly into your bank account in installments once you’ve started your course.

FAQs

I’m already a student so do I still have to apply?

Yes. Even if you applied last year, you still have to apply again to get tuition fees and living costs support for your next year.

If I get a loan, when will I have to pay it back?

You will not normally have to make any repayments while you’re studying. You start repaying the student loan after you leave your course, and are earning over £27,660 a year.