Scottish Young Student
Undergraduate Funding

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

Young Student Bursary (no repayments)

If you normally live in Scotland and are under the age of 25 before starting your degree, you could receive up to £2,000 each year of your course. The amount you get depends on your household income (check the table). A bursary means the money does not have to be repaid. You apply through SAAS.

Student Loan (repayment needed)

You can apply for a student loan of up to £5,750 per year. The amount you get depends on your household income (check the table) and you need to pay it back.

Young Student Bursary and Student Loans for 2023/24

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)

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 or there’s been a permanent breakdown in your relationship, see Support for Students Estranged from their Parents. 

If you act as a carer: There are living cost grants available for students who act as carers for dependent adults. See Support for Student Carers. You can also apply for additional funding from the University Discretionary Fund.

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.

Awards (no repayments)

• The Dundee Education Trust gives bursary awards of £300. Visit the website to download an application form.

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 from the SAAS Guide to Undergraduate funding.

Budgeting

We have a useful page of sites about budgeting and discounts for students.

Undergraduate Student Scholarships

There are many Undergraduate Scholarships and Bursaries to help support your studies. Find out what's available.

We're happy to help

If you have any questions about funding your degree, Live Chat is available on our website during office hours, you can phone 01382 308080 or email sro@abertay.ac.uk.