08 - Scotland - Financial support for students

Further Education

In 2000, tuition fees for students living in Scotland and EU students who undertake full-time non-advanced courses of further education were abolished. Some part-time students in receipt of means tested benefits, on a low income, or disabled may also be eligible for free tuition. The colleges can provide financial assistance for students on further education courses, which, subject to means testing, may provide support towards maintenance costs, travel and study expenses. Local authorities also have discretionary powers to offer assistance to individuals ordinarily resident in their areas who are not attending one of the incorporated colleges or who are attending a college outwith Scotland.

In December 2004 the Scottish Government introduced Individual Learning Accounts (ILA) Scotland. ILA Scotland can help pay for a wide range of learning with a variety of approved providers in colleges, universities, the community and private organisations. If you are aged 16 or over, live in Scotland, are not in full-time higher education and earn £18,000 a year or less you can apply for an ILA that will give you up to £200 a year towards the cost of learning.

Higher Education

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) assists (through the Students’ Allowances Scheme) students undertaking full-time and some part-time higher education courses in universities or colleges. Eligible full-time Scottish-domiciled and EU students following HNC, HND and degree level courses at a Scottish institution are entitled to free tuition and living costs support through partly means-tested loans (Student Loan Scheme). Young students from low income families can have part of their support provided as a Young Students’ Bursary, which they do not have to repay. Some other groups of students (including disabled students and students with dependants) are also eligible to receive extra help through non-repayable supplementary grants and hardship bursaries. Rules for the payment of means-tested benefits are being updated to treat co-habiting couples in a similar way to married ones.

Support policy for part-time students is under review.

Since September 2006 universities and colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have different arrangements for charging fees. Students living in Scotland who study elsewhere in the UK can borrow up to £3000 from SAAS to cover the cost of their fees. They are also entitled to living cost support in the form of a partly means-tested loan and, if eligible, to the Students’ Bursary and supplementary grants described in the previous paragraph. In addition Scottish students can apply for bursaries being offered by universities and colleges in England and Northern Ireland.

Eligible part-time students studying at least 50% of a full-time course either through attendance at the institution or by distance learning are also eligible for a fee grant of £500.00.

Institutions:

 

Student Awards Agency for Scotland
Gyleview House, 3 Redheughs Rigg, EDINBURGH EH12 9HH
Tel.:+44 (0)131-244-5883
Fax:+44 (0)131-244-5887
E-mail: saas.geu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website:  http://www.saas.gov.uk

 

Student Loans Company (SLC)
100 Bothwell Street, GLASGOW G2 7JD
Tel.:+44 (0)800-405010
Fax:+44 (0)141-306-2005
Website:  http://www.slc.co.uk


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Date: 2009
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