Student funding
Everything you need to know about funding for your college or university course.
Going to college or university is exciting! But let's be honest, sorting out your funding isn't.
We might not be able to put the ‘fun’ in funding, but we can make it easier to understand and help you get the support you need.
Who are SAAS?
SAAS stands for Student Awards Agency Scotland. They help you get your hands on the money you need to support you while at college or university.
They provide many different types of funding for Scottish students. We'll break down what's on offer and point you in the right direction to access it.
Tuition fees
This is what a college or university charges for the cost of running a course for you. If you normally live in Scotland, you don't need to pay tuition fees for most full-time courses. They're government-funded and you'd apply through SAAS to have them paid for you.
This applies to undergraduate, paramedic, nursing or midwifery or PGDE courses. Visit SAAS to learn more about full-time tuition fees.
For part-time courses you may need to pay your tuition fees, but you may be eligible for the Part-time Fee Grant (PTFG). Visit SAAS to find out what part-time tuition fee help is on offer.
For postgraduate courses, your tuition fees are not paid for you but you can take out a loan to help with these. Visit SAAS to find out more about postgraduate tuition fee loans.
Student loans
A student loan helps you pay for living costs while you study. These are regular payments and you don't need to pay the money back until you leave the course and earn over a certain amount.
If you normally live in Scotland, you can apply to SAAS for most full-time college and university courses. You can find out if you're eligible and apply by visiting the SAAS website.
A bursary is like a student loan because it's money to help you pay for living costs while you study. However, unlike a loan, you don't need to pay the money back!
Check out these bursaries you may be eligible for:
- Care Experienced Students' Bursary
- Young or Independent Student
- Paramedic, nursing and midwifery bursary
- Lone Parents Grant or Dependant's Grant
- Disabled Students Allowance
- Estranged Students' Bursary
If you’re a care leaver, Propel has gathered a handy list of the funding help you could access.
The Education Maintenance Allowance is a payment offered by the Scottish Government to 16 to 19 year olds. It’s aimed at young people who continue learning at school and is dependant on your household income.
Visit Student Information Scotland to find out what other funding and support is on offer for learners with additional support needs.
Funding for studying abroad
Ready to experience more of the world while you study? Explore different international opportunities and funding you might be able to access:
- SAAS' studying abroad guide
- The European funding guide
- Turing Scheme (replacing Erasmus programme)
- British Council study and work abroad funding
- Fullbright Commission for postgraduate study in the USA
Funding fast five! Top tips for applying for student finance
- Get in early to avoid last minute stress. You usually need to pay tuition fees before starting your course, so make applying for these a priority.
- Do your research so you know what you can apply for and what you need.
- Ask and you may receive, even if you're unsure if you're eligible apply for all the funding you think you'll need.
- Don't panic if you're late applying. Even if you've started your course, you can still apply for loans and bursaries.
- Remember you need to apply for every year of your course!