For Scottish Students - SAAS funding is now open!

alyth

As title says, SAAS funding is now available for 2010/2011 - good luck in completing the form, it takes ages!

eklynne

I applied 3 days ago and received my award letter in this morning's post.

Also, Scottish Students over 25, self supporting, with children or who are married and earning under £34,195 might be interested to know that from September your award will include the Independent Students Bursary of £1000

alyth

oh I didn't know about the Independent Students Bursary - how do you apply for that, or is it automatically added to your funding? I applied last night, glad to hear you heard back so quickly.

eklynne

There was an option on the application form to tick if you were applying for it.
http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/student_support/scottish_inside/isb.htm

pretzelnut

Can anyone help me with the income art of the form for 2011/11. I really dont know what to put in it, as i doubt i'll be working much, but i could be, Lady at SAAS said to put down how much tax credits we get now, but surely this will change once i go to college and we dont get it anymore.

So i'll get assessed as a big income but when i go to college it will be almost nothing, do they just reasses it as things change.

I ranf SAAS again and spoke to someone else who was a lot more helpful. We put down the figures we have and should anythimg change it will get reassessed.

eklynne

I didn't think your tax credits affected the amount you could apply for. In my first year at Uni I worked 16 hours a week at min. wage so received the full working tax credit, I think it was about £117 per week and I was still offered the full amount in my loan.

pretzelnut

Thats what im finding so confusing, no 2 people seem to be able to tell me the same thing.

Im hoping to work whilst at college but i need to be ''real'' and know how much i will be entitled to should i not get any work.

Im savig as much as i can now to lighten the blow come august. It'll be worth it in the end.

eklynne

Are you single or married? Do you have kids? Are you self supporting and have been for over 3 years? Are you over 25? I have my award letter for 2010/2011 and I can let you know roughly what the amounts would be if you give me a sec.

pretzelnut

Im living with DF, we have 3 kids, I am self supporting in the sense i dont depend on my parents, but i will be depending on DF as i might be quitting work to go to college, Im over 25 but going back to college is making me feel 55.

eklynne

If your household income is under £20,000, you'll get the full £6067 which includes the new ISB of £1000. After £20,000 your OH's income will be assessed and he'll be expected to make a contribution.
You'll also get travel expenses up to £915 payable in December and you can apply for a non repayable grant from your institution's discretionary fund of up to £3000.
When I was a single parent in 1st year at Uni, I was actually better off than I had been in my previous 5 years employment as I was working part time, getting full tax credits and full loan and lone parent grant. Then I met the OH, had to give up work as my schedule at Uni got too hectic and now I'm skint! Typical.

cm1981

Well on the website it says mine was assessed on 20th if not heard within 7 days to call so i called, and they said it hasn't been done, hmm.. well why put that on the website.