Scotland 2016/17 - grants and loans

Student grants

Both grants and loans are available to full-time first-cycle students, and amounts depend on the level of household income. The 'Young Student’s Bursary' of up to GBP 1 875 per year is available to students under the age of 25 at the start of their course with a household income below GBP 34 000. The 'Independent Students' Bursary' of up to GBP 875 per year is available to students aged at least 25, with a dependent child or married/co-habiting, and with a household income below GBP 18 999. Additional support is also available to students who incur extra costs related to a disability or learning difficulty.

Depending on household income, 'young students' can take out a maximum loan of GBP 5 750 per year, and 'independent students' a maximum of GBP 6 750 per year. All eligible students can also apply for a non-income assessed student loan of GBP 4 750 per year. Students become liable to repay their loans in the April after they graduate or leave their course. Repayments for loans are normally deducted from earnings by employers at the rate of 9 % of income above GBP 17 495. In 2015, 51 % of full-time students took out loans. In 2016-17, the maximum support package – grants and loans combined – is GBP 7 625.

A part-time fee grant (PTFG) is available to Scottish and EU students studying credits equivalent to 15-59.5 ECTS per academic year. The level of grant is based on a pro-rata amount of the full-time regulated fee.

Loans

Second cycle students can apply for a fee loan of up to GBP 3 400 for eligible full-time courses (GBP 1 700 for part-time). Second cycle students on eligible courses may also apply for a living cost loan of up to GBP 4 500.