Financial support for UK and European residents
The type of financial support you might receive depends on several different things, for example: what course you want to study (whether full or part time), what level (whether advanced or non-advanced), how old you are, your income, family circumstances and your residency status.
To be eligible for a fee waiver or other financial support, UK nationals must have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the three-year period immediately before the start of the course. Migrant workers from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, their spouse or children, must fulfil the three-year requirement in the EEA or Switzerland.
The table below is merely a guide to show the types of financial support available. For more detailed information, or if you are in any doubt about your residency status, contact the individual institution or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), telephone 0845 1111711 for higher education courses.
If you are an asylum seeker or a refugee, please click here for specific information relevant to your circumstances.
| Part-time Study less than 21 hours per week |
Full-time Study 21 hours per week or more |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding | Course Level below HNC/D |
Course Level HCNC/D or above |
Course Level below HNC/D |
Course Level HCNC/D or above |
| Course fees | ||||
| Tuition fees | * | * | Yes | Yes |
| Individual Learning Accounts Scotland | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Career Development Loan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maintenance costs | ||||
| Living costs | – | – | ** | **** |
| Travel costs | *** | Yes | Yes | *** |
| Study costs | *** | ***** | ** | **** |
| Help for dependants | ||||
| Child Tax Credit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Childcare Funds | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
| Other support | ||||
| Disabled Students' Allowance | – | Yes | – | Yes |
| Educational Maintenance Allowance (16-19 years) |
– | – | Yes | – |
| Hardship Funds | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Young Students' Bursary (new students under 25) if you are receiving a loan | – | – | – | Yes |
| Lone parents’ grant | – | – | Yes | Yes |
* |
Fees might be charged: it might be possible to get help with your fees - a fee waiver - if your income is below a certain level. |
** |
It might be possible to get money for study and living expenses. |
*** |
It might be possible to get money for travel and study expenses, but not for living expenses. |
**** |
It might be possible to get a loan to cover fees and living expenses. |
**** |
It might be possible to get a loan of £500 towards materials. |
Other sources of financial support
There are other sources of financial support available, such as career development loans, individual learning accounts, disabled students' allowances, tax credits, educational trusts and charities.