Scottish domicile eligibility

Jamstu

I am enquiring on behalf of a friend who is returning to Scotland after two years' travel/work abroad in Australia and NZ. She would like to start studies in Scotland, having previously lived here for 10 years before going abroad. Her registered domicile while away was her parents which is in England (although her father is Scottish). She is also now 30 and would be classed as a mature student: a number of different factors confusing SAAS as to whether she would be entitled to tuition-free study or not... Any thoughts as to where she would stand here?

The_One_Who

What have SAAS said? Ultimately it will be their decision.

Aelius

Jamstu wrote: »

I am enquiring on behalf of a friend who is returning to Scotland after two years' travel/work abroad in Australia and NZ. She would like to start studies in Scotland, having previously lived here for 10 years before going abroad. Her registered domicile while away was her parents which is in England (although her father is Scottish). She is also now 30 and would be classed as a mature student: a number of different factors confusing SAAS as to whether she would be entitled to tuition-free study or not... Any thoughts as to where she would stand here?

No. She was domicile in England for two years before, she'll have to pay English tuition costs [which will be between £7,000-£9,000 depending on the University.] Being a mature student means nothing, neither does parents nationality.

My sister applied through SAAS after working in Scotland for two years, she still had to go through SF England.

The_One_Who

^ It doesn't say in the OP that she was domiciled in England prior to her going travelling. It reads like she lived in Scotland.

Gap years shouldn't disqualify someone from funding, but it will be up to SAAS to decide. It'd probably depend on the type of visa that was issued for the travelling. No matter what anyone on here says, it will be them who decide.

I think there have been a couple of relatively recent threads on here with regards to people working/travelling in the Far East and their positions for student funding. Although they are about English funding, might be worth a look. I know that the SAAS website can be a but clunky to get around, and contacting them can be tricky, but sometimes that might be the only way.

Voyager2002

Please note that the word "domiciled" does not just mean living somewhere, nor where you receive letters while you are away. It is a concept closer to "the place that you consider home", the place where you can demonstrate you intend to live in the long term. So your friend should NOT say that for the last two years she was "domiciled" in England, Australia or wherever. She needs to have a very close look at the SAAS web site and further information to find out what tests they use to determine who is or is not domiciled in Scotland.

Oldernotwiser

It may also depend on the sort of visa you had for travelling to Australia.

Aelius

wrote:

Ordinarily resident has been defined in the courts as 'habitual and normal residence in one place'. It basically means that you, your parents or your husband, wife or civil partner live in a country year after year by choice throughout a set period, apart from temporary or occasional absences such as holidays or business trips. Living here totally or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education does not count as being ordinarily resident.

To be eligible she would need to provide evidence of residence in Scotland.