Student Funding in Scotland

Hi there, just looking for some info here. I am planning on ringing Glasgow College as well as SAAS but I was wondering in the meantime If anyone knew anything about what the costs of education are?

This September I will have lived in Scotland for 3 years so I'll meet the residence requirements for SAAS. The first two years I was at uni in Stirling although this was paid by Student Finance England and the last year I have been living by myself in Glasgow working full time. I work in a call centre (which is ok but I don't see it as a career) and theres not really a great deal of jobs out there for people that don't have qualifications beyond a levels/highers so I am looking at getting back into education and reinventing myself.

If i go to Uni I was wondering what support I would be allowed. I know it is generally based on parents income but I have been away from home for 3 years and recently i have been working full time supporting myself so I'm not sure if I am or I'm not eligible for any bursary.

Another option I have been looking at is training to be a chef but this would been going to college and starting right at the beginning doing effectively highers/a levels again. I was wondering if anyone knew how much it costs to do those kinds of courses now that I'm 21 and if there was any financial support as I would need to give up my job or reduce my hours to do this.

I've tried looking for this info already but I couldn't find it. Any help is much appreciated!

 

Hey man!

This is what I know (to the best of my knowledge).

Scottish students are entitled to FIVE years tuition fees through SAAS. Most people use three or four over the course of a Bachelors or Honours. However, the fifth year can cover false starts (change of course), resitting years, and certain postgrads. These postgrads tend to be vocational rather than academic. For example, after my undergrad, I did a Masters in Investigative Journalism - this was NOT covered. I then did a PGDE (teacher training) - this WAS covered. However, I believe all 'Higher Education' courses are covered up to Honours level.

When I asked about whether I was eligible for funding for my PGDE year (my 6th year of study), I was asked if I received any funding from a "public body" during my Masters year (my 5th year of study). As it happened, I paid my own Masters so my funding was not affected. However, given that you mention you received funding from Student Finance England, you should ask SAAS if this has any bearing in Scotland...

As for your residency, I presume you are not Scottish. I know that SAAS usually won't cover students even from other parts of the UK, however, I know nothing of its residency requirements so I presume you've checked that out.

I would also presume that student loans and grants will be available to you if you are a 'resident'. You apply for these through SAAS and they are awarded by the Student Loans Company. The maximum you can get is about £4,500 per year. You can also get certain bursaries to the tune of about £1000 per year - definite winner there! They assess your application on the basis of your parents income UP UNTIL THE AGE OF 25. As soon as you hit 25, you are considered an 'Independent Student' and are automatically eligible for full loan and bursary entitlements.

Anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know!

 

My mate is trying to become a chef at Glasgow College, he's 21 and Scottish - SAAS doesn't pay for him. The college offers support themselves, though it's not much from what he tells me and a pain in the * to get.

Breenzo has a lot of stuff covered in his post to do with Uni, not much point in mentioning the same stuff again

 

Does he pay tuition fees do you know?

 

He didn't last year, but there was some sort of conflict over them this year. Unsure what happened with it, I'll try and find out and let you know

Also unsure what level he done/is doing it at just now. Will try and get back to you

 

Thanks buddy, I appreciate it!

 

Thanks very much pal I really appreciate your help!

 

I just got a massive 2 middle fingers from SAAS. For the 3 years ordinarily resident you can't have been in full time education. So I wouldn't get any funding which in turn means that I would have to find £7000 a year to go to uni or £1300 to go to college.

 

If your wanting to be a chef your better just applying for commi jobs the culinary training in Scotland is complete bollocks and doesn't prepare you in any way for working in kitchens IMO.

 

* i have had 4 years cover myself and intend to do a postgrad in petroleum economics and im guessing thats not going to be covered under vocational, or is it? It is an occupation i would be wanting to do it as a job rather than having a masters and then doing something different.

Also i was told they are scrapping that over 25 rule sometime soon and anyone, within Scotland no matter your parents income can apply for the full loan of around £5000, but not everyone can get the grant.