Publication - Research and analysis

Student Finance and Wellbeing Study (SFWS) Scotland 2023-2024: main report

Published: 11 December 2024
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education
ISBN: 9781836910824

Student Finance and Wellbeing Study Scotland for academic year 2023 to 2024 explores student’s financial experiences whilst studying at college and university in Scotland.

Supporting documents

Appendix A

Table 1.1: Summary of support available in academic year 2023 to 2024 at the time the study was undertaken
Scotland	FE	Part-time FE	HE (Young student – under 25 years)	HE (Independent Student – 25+)	Part-time HE (HN/UG)	Open University	Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), Masters and PhD
Cost of tuition	Eligible students have tuition fees paid by college	Fee waiver available for some students	Fees paid by SAAS (£1,820 for degree/ PGDE per AY; £1,285 for HNC/HND per AY; £1,205 for courses at private colleges or institutions per AY)	Fees paid by SAAS (£1,820 for degree/ PGDE per AY; £1,285 for HNC/HND per AY; £1,205 for courses at private colleges or institutions per AY)	Part Time Fee Grant (PTFG) (up to £1,820: degree/ PGDE; up to £1,274 per AY: HNC/ HND per AY). Personal income must be under £25,000.	Part Time Fee Grant (PTFG) (up to £1,820 for degree/PGDE per AY; up to £1,274 for HNC/ HND per AY) Personal income must be under £25,000.	Institution and research body funding (e.g. UKRI studentships, institutional scholarships) for PhD and PgDip/ Masters students
Tuition fee loan	No tuition fee loan available	No tuition fee loan available	Up to £9,250 per AY if studying in rest of UK. Up to £6,165 for courses at private colleges or institutions in the rest of UK per AY.	Up to £9,250 if studying in rest of UK per AY. Up to £6,165 for courses at private colleges or institutions in the rest of UK per AY.	No tuition fee loan available	Up to £7,000 tuition fee loan available for PGDip/ Masters	Up to £7,000 tuition fee loan for PGDip/ Masters No loans for PhD students.
Maintenance/ living costs loan	No maintenance loan available	No maintenance loan available	£6,000 to £7,000 living cost loan per AY depending on household income	£6,000 to £8,000 living cost loan per AY depending on household income	No maintenance loan available	No maintenance loan available	No maintenance loans for PhD students. Up to £4,500 living cost loan for full-time PGDip/ Masters
Bursaries/ grants	FE bursary of up to £5,398.65 per AY depending on household income/ living situation. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £30 per week if under 18 and parental income is below the EMA income thresholds (£24,421 for households with one dependent child and £26,884 for households with two or more dependent children)		Young Student Bursary (£500-£2,000 per AY depending on household income). No bursary if household income £34,000 plus.	Independent Student Bursary (£1,000 per AY) for those with household income lower than £20,999. No bursary if household income exceeds this.	No bursaries or living cost grants available	OU bursaries available for some students	For PhD students - institution and research body funding (e.g. UKRI studentships, university scholarships)

Table 1.2: Student support for specific student groups and courses 2023/2024
Student group	FE study	HE study	Postgraduate (PG) study
Estranged students	FE Bursary (maximum available and non means-tested)	Estranged Student Bursary of £1,000 plus £8,000 living cost loan per academic year (per AY) Universities may provide additional tailored financial support	Standard Postgraduate support package
Care experienced students	Care Experienced Bursary (£9,000 per AY; no loan; non-means-tested)	Care Experienced Bursary (£9,000 per AY; no loan; non-means-tested); Summer Accommodation Grant* (up to £1,330 over summer break p/AY for students in formal accommodation arrangements; £665 for students with informal arrangements); Universities may provide additional tailored financial support	Standard PG support package
Carers	Dependants' Allowance of up to £67.55 per week from their college	Income assessed Dependants' Grant (up to £2,640 per AY)	Standard Postgraduate support package
Student parents	Eligible to receive the non-means tested Lone Parents Childcare Grant (LPCG) of up to £1,215 per year if they have formal registered childcare expenses while studying. Discretionary Childcare Fund via college.	Income assessed Lone Parents' Grant (up to £1,305 p/AY); Discretionary Childcare Fund available through college/university to assist with the costs of childminders, after school clubs, day care, sitter services and pre-school education;	Standard Postgraduate support package
Disabled students	Additional Support Needs (ASN) for Learners Allowance provides allowances for additional support materials, non-medical helpers, and extra travel costs.	Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) provides allowances for additional support materials, non-medical personal help (NMPH) and for large support items.	DSA available for Postgraduates, including PhD students in certain circumstances (generally those who have no other access to DSA funding from their employer).
Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery students (PNMS)		PNM Student Bursary (£10,000 per AY for 3 years; £7,500 in final year); income assessed Dependents' Allowance (up to £3,640 per AY); Single Parent's Allowance (up to £2,303 p/AY); Childcare Allowance for Parents (up to £2,466 per AY).	Standard Postgraduate support package
Dentistry students		Dental Student Support Grant (up to £4,000 per AY) administered by SG Dentistry and Dental schools, if household income lower than £34,000 and students sign contract relating to NHS Scotland work.
Students experiencing financial hardship/ difficulties	Discretionary funding available via college. Amount available varies on a case by case basis and by institution	Discretionary funding available via college or university. Amount available varies on a case by case basis and by institution	Discretionary funding available via college or university. Amount available varies on a case by case basis and by institution

* This support may also be referred to as the Care Experienced Accommodation Grant.

Note: Student support in Scotland is administered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

Table 1.3: Support available to Scottish-domiciled HE students in academic year 2023 to 2024
	Young Student (under 25 years )			Independent Student (25 plus years)
Household income	Bursary	Loan	Total	Bursary	Loan	Total
£0 to £20,999	£2,000	£7,000	£9,000	£1,000	£8,000	£9,000
£21,000 to £23,999	£1,125	£7,000	£8,125	£0	£8,000	£8,000
£24,000 to £33,999	£500	£7,000	£7,500	£0	£7,500	£7,500
£34,000 and above	£0	£6,000	£6,000	£0	£6,000	£6,000

Table 1.4: Support available to Scottish-domiciled HE students in academic year 2024-2025
	Young Student (under 25 years )			Independent Student (25 plus years)
Household income	Bursary	Loan	Total	Bursary	Loan	Total
£0 to £20,999	£2000	£9,400	£11,400	Bursary	Loan	Total
£21,000 to £23,999	£1,125	£9,400	£10,525	£1,000	£10,400	£11,400
£24,000 to £33,999	£500	£9,400	£9,900	£0	£10,400	£10,400
£34,000 and above	£0	£8,400	£8,400	£0	£9,900	£9,900

Contact

Email: socialresearch@gov.scot

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Information

Appendix A

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