Student funding and finance
Here’s an overview of what’s on offer and how you can access it.
Going to college or university is an exciting time! We can’t promise to put the ‘fun’ into funding and finance – but we’ll help you understand what’s out there.
Do you need to pay tuition fees?
Tuition fees are what a college or university charges students to study a course.
Full-time courses
If you live in Scotland, you do not need to pay tuition fees for most of the country’s full-time courses. This applies to undergraduate, paramedic, nursing, midwifery or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) courses.
You’ll apply through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid for you. Visit SAAS to learn more about full-time tuition fees.
Remember, you’ll need to pay tuition fees if you choose to study in another part of the United Kingdom.
Part-time courses
Want to study a part-time course? You may need to pay your tuition fees, but you could be eligible for the Part-time Fee Grant (PTFG). Visit SAAS to find out how they can help with part-time tuition fees.
Postgraduate courses
For postgraduate courses, your tuition fees are not paid for you. Although, you can take out a loan to help pay them. Visit SAAS to learn more about loans that cover postgraduate tuition fees.
Scholarships
If you live in Scotland or plan to study here, there are several scholarship options. A scholarship is a financial award given to students and it does not need to be repaid.
Each scholarship is different – some are used to cover tuition fees and others are designed to help with living costs while you study.
Visit Scotland.org to explore the national scholarships on offer.
Student loans
A student loan helps you pay for living costs while you study. These are regular payments and you do not need to pay the money back until you’ve finished the course and are earning over a certain amount.
If you live in Scotland, most full-time college and university courses allow you to apply for a student loan. Visit SAAS to find out if you’re eligible and apply.
Help with living costs
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Are you aged between 16 and 19 years old? Depending on your household income, you may be eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). Offered by the Scottish Government, this payment of £30 per week is aimed at young people who are continuing to learn.
Bursaries
A bursary is like a student loan because it's money to help you pay for living costs while studying. However, unlike a loan, you don't need to pay the money back!
Check out these bursaries you may be eligible for:
- Young or Independent Student Bursaries
- Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary
- Teaching Bursary Scheme
- Lone Parents’ Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
- Estranged Students' Bursary
Extra financial support
If you’re a Care Experienced student, you may be eligible for funding and support.
There are different types of Care Experience. You may be Care Experienced if you have:
- spent time in foster care
- spent time in kinship care
- spent time in residential care
- been subject to a Compulsory Supervision Order
Support for Care Experienced students at college
Colleges offer a bursary of £225 per week for Care Experienced students. Contact your college to check your eligibility and apply.
Support for Care Experienced students at university
If you’re a new or continuing Care Experienced student, you can apply for a funding package. Visit SAAS to learn more about eligibility and the application process.
Funding packages can include:
- tuition fees
- a Care Experienced Students Bursary (CESB) of £9,000
- a student loan, known as a Special Support Loan, of £2,400
Do you have additional support needs? Visit Student Information Scotland to discover other funding that’s on offer.
Want to study abroad?
Ready to experience more of the world while you study? Explore different international opportunities and funding you may be able to access: