Funding full time higher education
Higher education courses are those at Higher National Certificate (HNC) level and above, for example Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), Certificates in Higher Education (CertHEs), Diplomas in Higher Education (DipHEs) and degrees.
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) website: http://www.saas.gov.uk gives detailed information on funding your course, and on how to apply. You can download the SAAS Funding Guide 2013-2014 from the website.
You apply online to the SAAS for your tuition fees, student loan and supplementary grants. You can track the progress of your application online.
Tuition fees
As long as you meet certain residency requirements the SAAS will pay your tuition fees. But, you must apply to them each year to have your fees paid.
If you live in Scotland but go to a university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you have to pay up to £9,000 towards your fees. You can take out a student loan to pay the fees and pay it back after you have graduated. Apply for the loan by 31 March to have your funding in place if your course starts in autumn 2014.
Young Students’ Bursary (YSB)
You’re a ‘young student’ if at the start of your course you’re under 25, single and you’ve not been supporting yourself financially for three years. Students under 25 at the start of their course, and who have a dependent child, are not eligible for the YSB and should apply for the Independent Students' Bursary (see below).
You don’t have to pay back the Young Students’ Bursary. How much you get depends on your household income. You must be studying in Scotland.
If your household income is £16,999 a year or less, you should get the maximum bursary of £1,750 a year.
If your household income is between £17,000 and £23,999 a year, you will receive £1,000 a year.
If your household income is between £24,000 and £33,999 a year, you will receive £500 a year.
If your household income is over £34,000 a year you won’t be eligible for the bursary – you’ll be dependent on a student loan and a contributions from your parents or guardians.
Apply online as soon as you have an unconditional place on a course.
Independent Students’ Bursary (ISB)
If you don't meet the criteria for a Young Students' Bursary, then you might be eligible for an Independent Students' Bursary. The amount you receive depends on your household income. If it is £16,999 or less a year, you are entitled to £750. If your yearly income is more than £17,000 then you are not eligible, but can still apply for a student loan. If you are under 25 with a dependant, you should also apply for the ISB.
Specific details are available on the SAAS website at http://www.saas.gov.uk/.
Student loans for living costs
A student loan is to help with the cost of living – accommodation, food, books, clothes, travelling costs and all the other things you’ll need.
How much you get depends on your and your household’s income, or both, and whether you live at your parents' home or not. Once the SAAS have decided how much you can apply for they pass this information to the Student Loans Company (SLC). The SLC set up your loan account and pay you in monthly instalments.
For 2013-2014 the maximum loan for someone on a course in Scotland that lasts 30 weeks and who lives at their parents' home is:
- £5,500 for household income up to £33,999 a year
- £4,500 for household income of £34,000 or more a year.
For independent students, the amounts are:
- £6,500 for household income up to £23,999 a year
- £6,000 for household income of between £24,000 and £33,999 a year
- £4,500 for household income up of £34,000 or more a year.
You should apply to the SAAS as early as you can before the closing dates.
You don’t repay your loan until you’ve finished or left your course. You start paying when you’re earning over £16,365 a year.
Allied Health Professions (AHPs)
You are an AHP student if you are taking a degree course in dietetics, occupational therapy, orthoptics, physiotherapy, podiatry (chiropody), prosthetics and orthotics, radiography or speech or language therapy.
From the 2013-2014 academic year you will get the same funding package (bursary and loan) as other undergraduate students. Apply to the SAAS before the final closing dates.
Nursing and Midwifery Bursary
You should apply online for a nursing and midwifery student bursary (NMSB) through the SAAS website. Apply as soon as you have a place on a course.
If you’re taking an honours degree course you get the full rate for the first three years and 75% in your fourth year. If you're taking the three-year diploma or the two-year graduate training scheme you get the full amount for the full length of the course.
For courses starting in August 2013 you'll get £6,578 a year for the first three years and £4,938 for year 4. You also get an extra Initial Expenses Allowance of £60 in your first year of study. Contact SAAS at 0300 300 3134 for information and advice.
Dentistry and Medicine
You will get the same support as most other students. If you are studying medicine or dentistry elsewhere in the UK you can apply to have your tuition fees paid from the fifth year of study.
NHS Scotland Dental Bursary Scheme
NHS Scotland National Education Services (NES) and the Scottish Government Health Department run a Dental Bursary Scheme for students taking a Dentistry (BDS) degree at Dundee or Glasgow Universities (years 2-5) and the graduate programme at Aberdeen University (all 4 years). The bursary is worth £4,000 each year.
You must undertake to work in dentistry for NHS Scotland for up to 5 years after you graduate, depending on how many years you claim the bursary. If you withdraw from the course or leave the Scottish NHS before the agreed period you must repay the bursary.
For more information see the SAAS website or: Tel: 0131 244 4519 or Email: saasnhsbursaries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Supplementary grants and allowances
These allowances may be available if you need extra financial help because of your circumstances. You don’t have to pay them back. Except for the Disabled Students’ Allowance, how much you get depends on your circumstances.
Dependants' Grant
You can claim up to £2,640 for your husband, wife, civil partner or partner. If they have any income it may affect your ability to claim. If you have a child (or children) you can claim Child Tax Credit, whether or not you’re working. This includes free school meals. For more information see the HMCR site at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
This allowance is paid regardless of your income. You can claim it if you have a disability or learning difficulty and have extra expenses related to your course.
Details are on the SAAS website.
Lead (Linking Education and Disability) Scotland produce a really useful free booklet called 'Helping You Meet the Costs of Learning: Funding for Disabled Learners' that you can download from their website at http://www.lead.org.uk/.
Lone Parent Grant
You can claim up to £1,305 a year if you are the lone parent of a child still at school and you pay for formal childcare (such as a registered childminder). This is an income assessed grant which is available from the SAAS.
Vacation Grant for Care Leavers
If you were in care before you started your course, or when you left school, you can apply for up to £105 a week to help with your accommodation costs during the summer holiday. This will be paid direct to your landlord.
Travelling Expenses
Support for travel costs is included in the student loan. Students on AHP or nursing diploma or degree courses can claim for additional travel expenses relating to practical placements they have to attend.
Financial help from other sources
Discretionary Funds
These funds are run by individual institutions and you can only claim if you are finding it very difficult to cope financially, and you’ve taken out your full loan entitlement. Apply directly to your college or university. Funds are very limited.
Childcare Funds
If you have taken out the maximum student loan and are eligible to have your fees paid you can claim for help towards registered childcare costs through funds run by individual institutions. Apply direct to your college or university. Funds are very limited.
Tax Credits
You might be able to claim tax credits if you have children or you work for more than 16 hours a week. Contact the Working and Child Tax Credit helpline on 0345 300 3900 for more information, or see the tax credits website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits. You can apply online or get an application form (TC600) from your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Working while studying
Many students work part time while studying. As of April 2013, the student tax exemption process is no longer used. Employers use the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) process to deduct tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) from your earnings. You will only pay NICs if you earn more than £149 a week. If your total yearly earnings do not exceed the personal allowance threshold (for 2014 this is £10,000), you can apply for a tax rebate.
Benefits
As a rule, if you are a full time student, you will not be able to claim benefits, including housing benefit. However there are some exceptions. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office for advice.
Useful addresses
Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Tel: 0300 555 0505
Web: http://www.saas.gov.uk/
Student Loans Company (SLC)
Tel: 0845 026 2019
Web: http://www.slc.co.uk/
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