A Complete Guide to Student Finance Scotland (SAAS) – 2025/26

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) provides financial support for Scottish students in higher education. This includes tuition fee coverage, bursaries and loans to help with living costs. Below is a step-by-step guide to applying for SAAS funding, including eligibility, required forms and deadlines.

1. Check Your Eligibility

To qualify for SAAS funding, you must meet these criteria:

• Residency – You must have lived in Scotland for at least three years before your course starts.
• Nationality – You must be a UK national or have settled status. Some EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may also be eligible.
• Course Type – Your course must be full-time and at an approved Scottish university or college.
• Previous Study – SAAS usually funds your first undergraduate degree or HNC/HND. If you have previous study, your eligibility may be affected.

If you’re Scottish but studying elsewhere in the UK, you can still apply for SAAS support, but the funding structure differs.

2. Tuition Fees – Who Pays What?

Studying in Scotland

• Scottish students do not pay tuition fees.
• SAAS automatically pays tuition fees directly to your college or university. The amount depends on your course:
  • £1,820 for undergraduate and PGDE courses
  • £1,285 for HNC, HND, and other sub-degree courses
  • £1,205 for courses at private colleges
• If you’re studying at a private institution, fees may be higher, and SAAS may not cover the full cost.

Studying Elsewhere in the UK

• If you’re a Scottish student studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you must pay up to £9,535 per year.
• You can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover this cost.

3. Living Cost Support – Bursaries and Loans

Unlike in England, where maintenance support is entirely loan-based, SAAS provides a mix of grants (bursaries) and loans based on your household income.

Household Income	Young Student Bursary (Grant)	Loan (Max)	Total Support
£0 – £20,999	£2,000	£9,400	£11,400
£21,000 – £23,999	£1,125	£9,400	£10,525
£24,000 – £33,999	£500	£9,400	£9,900
£34,000+	£0	£9,400	£8,400

• Young Student Bursary – A grant that does not need to be repaid, available to students under 25 who are financially dependent on their parents.
• Independent Students Bursary – If you’re over 25, married, in a civil partnership or financially independent, you may qualify for a £1,000 grant instead.
  • This is income-assessed and available to those aged 25+, married, in a civil partnership, or financially independent.
• The loan includes a £2,400 Special Support Loan available to all eligible students. This is a part of the max loan figure.

4. Additional Grants & Support

SAAS offers extra funding for students with additional needs:

• Care-Experienced Bursary – £9,000 per year (non-repayable) for students who have been in care.
• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) – Support for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
• Childcare & Lone Parent Grants – Extra help for students with children.
• Travel Expenses – If your course requires travel, SAAS may cover costs.

5. How to Apply for SAAS Funding

Online Application (Preferred Method)

• Apply through the SAAS online portal: www.saas.gov.uk.
• You only need to apply once per year, and SAAS will process your tuition fees automatically.

Paper Applications (If Required)

If you can’t apply online, you may request a paper form, but this will slow down processing.

6. Required Documents

Depending on your situation, SAAS may ask for:

• Proof of Identity – Passport or birth certificate (only required for first-time applicants).
• Household Income Details – If applying for means-tested support, your parents, partner or spouse may need to provide financial information.
• Supporting Documents for Extra Grants – If applying for care-experienced support or childcare grants, additional evidence will be needed.

7. Application Deadlines

• Applications open in April 2025 for the 2025/26 academic year.
• To ensure funding arrives on time, apply by 30 June 2025.
• The final deadline for applications is 31 March 2026, but applying late may delay payments.

8. How Payments Work

• Tuition Fees – Paid directly to your university by SAAS.
• Bursaries & Loans – Paid into your bank account in monthly instalments starting in September.

Students can also choose to receive their payments over term-time (typically 9 months) or spread across the full year.

9. Repaying Your Loan

• You only start repaying your loan once you earn over £32,745 per year.
• Repayments are 9% of earnings above this threshold.
• The current interest rate on Plan 4 loans is 4.3%.
• After 30 years, any remaining debt is written off.

For example:

• If you earn £33,000, you repay 9% of £255 (the amount over £32,745) → £22.95 per year (about £1.91/month).
• If you earn less than £32,745, you do not make any repayments.

10. Studying Elsewhere in the UK

If you’re a Scottish student studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, SAAS won’t cover your tuition fees, but you can apply for:

• A tuition fee loan of up to £9,535.
• A maintenance loan, but no bursary.

SAAS provides one of the most generous student finance systems in the UK, covering tuition fees for Scottish students who study in Scotland. If you’re eligible for a bursary, you can receive non-repayable funding alongside your loan, reducing student debt.

To ensure smooth funding, apply as early as possible, ideally before 30 June 2025.

For full details and applications, visit: www.saas.gov.uk.