1. OPEN FOR BUSINESS FOR STUDENT FUNDING APPLICATIONS
PRESS RELEASE
16 APRIL 2015
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is open for business now ahead of the new student year
- calling for all students to complete and submit applications for the next academic year (2015-16) to
ensure their needs for funding, including tuition fees, are met.
SAAS is responsible for giving financial support to over 160,000 Scottish students studying in higher
education throughout the UK. Students must visit www.saas.gov.uk and complete their online
application or call the helpline on 0300 555 0505 if they have any questions or are having difficulties
filling out their form.
David Wallace, Chief Executive commented: “From April 2015, all new and returning students can
apply to SAAS to receive financial support for the next academic year, including payment of their
tuition fees. Even if students don’t yet know where they will be studying they can still apply. I urge
all students to take some time now to complete their applications accurately to ensure their funding
package is agreed. We recommend students visit our website and complete their online applications
or call our helpline for further support.”
Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said “Now is the time to
get application forms for the next academic year submitted and I would encourage students to
complete them as a matter of priority so they can rest assured their fees and living support will be
approved by the start of their courses.”
Applications for 2015/16 are now open – visit www.saas.gov.uk to complete applications online.
ENDS

2. For further information:
For further information please contact Mhairi De Luca or Sarah Mooney at The BIG Partnership on
0131 557 5252 or by email: mhari.deluca@bigpartnerhsip.co.uk / Katie.lyle@bigpartnership.co.uk
Editor’s Notes:
Student Awards Agency Scotland
SAAS are an agency of the Scottish Government giving financial support to all eligible Scottish
students doing a course of higher education in the UK.
For more information visit: www.saas.gov.uk. You can find SAAS Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/saasfb or follow SAAS on Twitter @saastweet.
What SAAS do:
 assess and pay financial support for living costs and tuition fees
 deal with the Students' Allowances Scheme, the Postgraduate Students' Allowances Scheme
(PSAS), the Nursing and Midwifery Students Bursary Scheme (NMSB) and applications for
student loans
 provide resources and data to the Student Loans Company for the payment of student loans
 distribute Discretionary Funds to Scottish colleges and universities;
 maintain a register of charities that offer educational endowments
 help learners through the Individual Learning Accounts Scotland (ILAS) scheme, which we
administer with Skills Development Scotland
 work with the Scottish Government Health Directorate to develop and deliver NHS Bursaries
targeted at specific groups (e.g. Dentistry students)