Scottish Independent Student Funding

Independent Student - what's available

If you normally live in Scotland and meet the SAAS Independent Student conditions, you’re likely to qualify for funding. Here's what's available:

Living cost bursaries and grants.
Tuition fees paid for Scottish students.
Student loans.
Lone parent grants.
Funds for formal/registered childcare.
Bursaries and grants if you’re a carer, disabled or been in care.
Scholarships and awards.

Good to know: grants, bursaries and scholarships do not need to be repaid.

Tuition Fees (no repayments)

In Scotland, tuition fees are normally Government-funded with no repayments for students. It is rare for Scottish students to pay tuition fees.

All Scottish students need to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) for undergraduate tuition fee funding. If your application is successful, they will pay your tuition fees direct to the University. Visit the SAAS website for the full details, or to make an application.

For your information, here are the tuition fee rates for Scottish undergraduates.

Living Costs

Independent Student Bursary (no repayments)

You could receive up to £1,000 for each year of your course. The amount you get depends on your household income (check the table). Remember this bursary does not have to be paid back.

Student Loan (repayments needed)

You can apply for a student loan, and the amount you get depends on your household income and you need to pay it back.

Independent Student Bursary and Student Loans for 2023/24

Household income

Bursary

Loan

Total

£0 to £20,999

£1,000

£8,000

£9,000

£21,000 to £23,999

£0

£8,000

£8,000

£24,000 to £33,999

£0

£7,500

£7,500

£34,000 and above

£0

£6,000

£6,000

How repaying Student Loans work

You only start to make repayments on your student loan when you start earning. You pay 9%* of the amount you earn and if your salary falls below that amount, or you stop working, the repayments stop automatically.

For the full details, check repaying your student loan on the SAAS website.

^{* As of 2023 and for indicative purposes only, please check the Scottish Government website for up-to-date information.}

Grants and Bursaries (no repayments)

Lone Parents’ Grant: If you’re widowed, divorced, separated and are a single parent bringing up one or more children who are dependent on you (siblings included), you can get up to £1,305 per year through the Lone Parents’ Grant. The amount is based on your income while you study. You apply through SAAS.

Lone Parents’ Childcare Grant: If you’re bringing up one or more children on your own, you may qualify for the Lone Parents’ Childcare Grant. It helps towards the cost of registered or formal childcare costs. You can apply for this on top of the Lone Parents’ Grant. The maximum is £1,215 each year. How much you receive depends on your childcare costs. You apply through Abertay University.

Dependents’ Grant: If you are a carer for a dependent adult, you can apply for the Dependents’ Grant. The maximum is £2,640 per year. You can also apply for additional funding from the University Discretionary Fund.

If you’ve been in care: You could receive the Care Experienced Student Bursary. You don’t have to pay this money back, and it’s not based on what you earn.

If you’re estranged from your parents: If you’re no longer in contact with your parents or there’s been a permanent breakdown in your relationship, see Support for Students Estranged from their Parents.

Disabled students’ allowance: If you have additional expenses because of a disability, a long-term medical condition or learning difficulties, check out the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Formal Childcare Funds: All students can apply for the Discretionary Childcare Fund for help with formal registered childcare expenses. You apply through the University.

When to Apply

You can apply to SAAS from April in the year your course will start. You apply for all funding at the same time: student loans, grants, bursaries and tuition fees. It takes at least six weeks to process your application so the earlier the better. The MYGOV.SCOT website tells you all about how to apply for student finance.

You need to apply before 30 June to ensure your funding is in place before you start your course. You don’t need a confirmed place, just use your preferred choice and update it if necessary.

Submitting your application as early as possible means your finances will be sorted before you start.

If your application is later than 30 June, your money may be too. And you don't want to start your course worrying about money. Find out more in the SAAS Guide to Undergraduate funding.