While you are at university you will have to consider both living and study costs. Study costs will include books, printing, internet, placement costs and living expenses such as accommodation, travel, socialising and childcare (if applicable).
Home Students
Student loan
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Eligible full-time Scottish-domiciled students can apply for a loan to help cover living costs. The amount of loan you can get depends on your age and you and your parents’ or partner's income. You will not have to start repaying your loan until the April after you have left university and you are earning more than £31,395 a year. Check the SAAS website for more information.
Young Students’ Bursary (YSB)
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This is a non-repayable grant which can help students under 25 years old whose parents have a low income. You can use this bursary to help with living costs while you study. Check the SAAS website for more information.
Independent Students’ Bursary (ISB)
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This is a non-repayable grant which can help students who are ‘independent’, for example, if you are 25, or married/in a civil partnership/living with a partner, or have a child dependent on you before the start of your course. You can use this bursary to help with living costs while you study. Check the SAAS website for more information.
Care Experienced Bursary
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If you are undertaking an eligible undergraduate course and have been in the care of a local authority, you will be eligible to apply for a bursary of £9,000. If you receive the Care Experienced Bursary, you will not be eligible to apply for a student loan. Check the SAAS website for more information.
Paramedic Student Bursary
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This is a bursary of £10,000 available for students studying Paramedic Science. If you receive the Paramedic Student Bursary you will not be eligible to apply for a student loan. Check the SAAS website for more information.
Additional grants
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Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be able to apply for additional allowances:
These grants should be applied for through SAAS
Trusts or charities
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In addition to the Discretionary Fund , there are many trusts, charities and scholarships which can provide financial help with tuition fees and study costs such as books and travel expenses. In some cases, you may receive help with living costs.
Childcare Fund
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The Childcare Fund is available for Home (Scotland) students to help towards registered childcare costs during term time. These costs may include a nursery, childminder or after-school care. You can only apply for help towards days for which you are timetabled to attend classes at GCU campus, a placement or online classes.
The Discretionary Fund
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The Discretionary Fund and the Nursing and Paramedic Discretionary Fund are available to support Home (Scotland) students and students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (RI) who are struggling financially with living and study costs. To apply, you must have taken out your full available support package from SAAS or your local education authority.
International students
Support for international students
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International students who are asylum seekers, or who have had to extend their visa, or have been financially affected by global conflict arising in their home country since starting their course, and are struggling financially with unexpected costs due to these circumstances, should make an appointment to speak to a Funding Adviser to discuss your current situation.
If you are an international or EU student who does not fall under the above category and are experiencing extreme financial difficulty, please contact the Student Funding Team to see how we can support you further.
EU students
Support for EU students
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SAAS applications are open for session 2025-26 for EU continuing students who started their course before academic year 2020-21. For information on recent changes to EU funding, please visit the SAAS EU pages.
In order to be eligible for this fund you must be:
An EU national who is eligible for full living cost support from SAAS An EU national who is struggling financially, with protected rights, who is eligible for tuition fees only, and who was here by the end of 2020 (with pre-settled status but who hasn’t been in the UK for three years). If you think you meet these criteria please make an appointment to speak to a Funding Adviser and discuss your current situation.
Funding your own fees If you are funding your own fees and are struggling to pay these, then please contact our Finance Team for advice and support.