HE Funding
Course fees and funding
If you are studying a full-time course at higher education level then you need to work out how your course fees will be paid. Tuition fees are not paid automatically, you will either need to apply to Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to pay your tuition fees or pay them yourself. You can find a lot of information and guides on the SAAS website.
If SAAS do not agree to pay your fees then it is your responsibility to pay them yourself. The main reasons that SAAS may not pay your fees are if you already have a qualification at that same level or above, or if you are not considered “Ordinarily Resident in Scotland.”
You make your SAAS application on the SAAS website, and there are quite a few help videos that you can look at if you need any further help. At the same time as applying for tuition fees you can also apply for SAAS bursary and for a student loan. These funds are to help you with your living costs and also for help toward purchasing equipment you may need for your course such as a laptop or core text books. Again, the SAAS guides will give you good information about what you may be able to apply for.
Hardship Fund and Childcare Fund
As well as your student loan, you can also apply for additional help from the HE Discretionary fund and the HE Childcare fund. You apply for these funds through your student hub. You must have applied for student loan as well as your tuition fees to be eligible for support from these funds.
Financial support for care experienced, estranged students and student carers
Financial support for care experienced, estranged students and student carers
If you have been in care (residential, foster care, kinship care for example) then you are entitled to some additional support during your time in college.
There is a named person – Meredyth Reynolds – who can support you and help with accessing any services that you need. Contact her by email: Meredyth.reynolds@uhi.ac.uk
You could be eligible for the SAAS Care Experienced Students Bursary which replaces the Student Loan. The full Care Experienced SAAS Bursary is £8,100, and if you are a degree student moving from year to year in your studies then you may get support for accommodation costs over the summer too. There is more information about the Care Experienced Bursary on the SAAS website
If you are under 25 at the start of your course, and estranged from your parents then you may be able to be assessed for funding by SAAS without needing to provide your parental income details. There are very strict criteria for being assessed as an estranged student, but you can find out more about that on the SAAS website.
If you are a carer, you may be eligible to apply to SAAS for the Dependents’ Grant.
See the information in the document below and check the SAAS website.
Support for care experienced students
HE discretionary hardship & chilcare funding
HE discretionary hardship & chilcare funding
As well as your student loan, you can also apply for additional help from the HE Discretionary fund and the HE Childcare fund. You apply for these funds through your student hub.
You must have applied for the maximum student loan that you are eligible for as well as your tuition fees to be eligible for support from these funds. When you make your application you will also need to provide supporting evidence of your household income.
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit (some Lone Parents may be able to remain on UC) then you are unlikely to be able to get support from the HE Discretionary Fund as this would affect your UC payments. However there are some occasions where you might still get some help. If you have any questions please email ACBursary@uhi.ac.uk.
SAAS and Student loans
Proof of SAAS Award Letter for fees
Proof of SAAS Award Letter for fees
We'll need to see a copy of your award letter as soon as possible. You should email a copy of your award letter to ACfees@uhi.ac.uk
If SAAS do not award your fees, YOU are liable for the full amount of your course fees.
Go to the SAAS website to get started!
This is an example of what your SAAS awards letter should look like which you can get a copy of from your SAAS account, log in to the SAAS website.