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Case Studies

1. Susan is a lone parent with two children who is studying for a M.A. in English. Susan applied to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to have her Tuition Fees paid to the University and for the Lone Parents' Grant (LPG), Independent Student Bursary and Student Maintenance Loan. As Susan has registered after-school care costs for her children, Susan approached Student Funding to enquire about financial support and was encouraged to apply to them for the Lone Parent Childcare Grant (LPCG) and to the HE Discretionary Funds. When processing Susan's application, it was determined that the shortfall in Susan's income resulted from her after-school care costs. The total of this was £3000: taking off the £1215 available via the LPCG, the HE Childcare Fund was able to assist Susan with the remainder of her after-school costs.
2. James is a first year student studying art. On the whole, James' income and expenditure was balanced particularly because he had a part-time job. However, the costs of art materials were causing financial difficulty. An application to the Discretional Funds was successful.
3. Chloe had a difficult time in the second year of her degree and was allowed to repeat the year. Chloe was encouraged to submit an application for repeat-year funding to the SAAS. A letter from Chloe's G.P, her tutor and one from herself explaining her ill-health accompanied her application for repeat-year funding which was successful. This meant that as Chloe had her tuition fees paid, she was able to receive her Young Students' Bursary and student loan.
4. Michael also had to repeat a year but not for medical or extenuating circumstances. Michael had to pay his own tuition fees. Previously, Michael received the Young Students' Bursary. As he is not being supported for repeat year funding, SAAS would not consider him for the YSB but his living cost support is paid as the student loan.

All scenarios are for illustrative purposes and are based on students supported by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. References for funding are indicative of past experiences and are in no way a guarantee of awards that may be made.

Any student concerned about their financial situation is encouraged to approach the Student Funding Unit for advice/support.

Sharon Sweeney
Student Funding Officer
12th November 2007