University finances - Scotland

[meadowmeow]

Can anyone give an idea of how this works? I have read all the info I can find online but I'm still a bit perplexed

If DD were to go to a local university and live at home, she would be able to take a loan plus qualify for a bursary. But if she wanted to move away, is there any other funding I am missing?

At the moment as far as I can see she will be quite well off if she stays at home but desperately skint if she moved away.

The course she wants to do is about an hour and a half away, so too far to commute, work, study and have down time I think

Anyone?

Looking the SAAS site, my impression was that you get the same money wherever you live, based on household income. As opposed to loans from SFE, which depend on where you live (at home or not), where the university is (in London or not), and on household income. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if I've missed something crucial.

That's what I read it to mean as well. I can't work out how she could manage to live away from home.

If she's living away from home, then she has to be prepared to take out the loan as well. If she's eligible for the bursary, then she's also eligible for the maximum loan. That comes to c£7,700 (can't remember the exact amount), which for c40 weeks of term should be enough to live on, including rent.

She's have to find a job for the summer (as a minimum) to cover summer costs - and ideally a part time job during term time to build up a nest egg for emergencies.

She does have a job which is transferable, but I can't get my head round the £150 a week for halls!

If seems as if she has the choice to either do the course she wants and move away, being very poor and scraping the pennies, or staying at home, which would mean a compromise in course, but being quite well off

I made ds not go for the £142/week ensuite (uncatered) accommodation and instead go for the 2 loos per flat of 5 £113/week accommodation!

Aberdeen only charges for 39 weeks accommodation so that still leaves c£80/week to live off (give or take the gym club membership). Which I think is plenty More than us - especially as I am still paying for his mobile contract

They make no allowance for whether they live at home or away as far as I can see. DS1 is only eligible for the smallest loan so if we weren't supporting him, it wouldn't even cover his rent. They also make no allowance for having two at uni at once, so if DS2 goes next year he will also only be able to borrow the lowest amount which again wouldn't even cover rent and it is assumed that parents will make up the difference for both of them. DS1 has chosen to stay at home and travel.