Scotland: SAAS Tuition Funding Screener

Test your eligibility for 100% free Scottish university tuition (paid by SAAS) against the residency, status and qualification thresholds for an undergraduate degree.

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Immigration / Nationality Status

SAAS tuition is restricted to "home" status applicants. International students on a Student visa pay overseas fees.

Where are you ordinarily resident on 1 August (relevant date)?

Scotland

Rest of UK

Outside UK

SAAS funding requires you to be ordinarily resident in Scotland on the relevant date (1 August before the course starts).

Years lived in UK / Islands / EEA / Switzerland / Gibraltar before relevant date

The standard rule requires at least 3 years of ordinary residence in this area immediately before the relevant date, and not wholly or mainly for the purpose of education.

Was that residence "wholly or mainly" for education?

Yes

Residence that was solely to attend school/college/university typically does not count toward the 3-year ordinary residence test.

Course Level

SAAS tuition payment normally only covers first undergraduate degrees and PGDE. Most postgraduate courses use a separate loan scheme, not free tuition.

Do you already hold an equivalent or higher qualification (ELQ)?

Yes

If you already have a degree at the same or higher level than the one you'll study, SAAS will usually refuse tuition payment.

Course is at an eligible Scottish institution & full-time?

Yes

SAAS only pays for designated full-time (or specific qualifying part-time) courses at recognised Scottish HEIs.

SAAS Tuition Outcome

Answer the form to screen your funding eligibility

Status Gate --

Residence Gate --

Qualification Gate --

Course Gate --

Eligibility Threshold Score --

Complete every section. All four gates (status, residence, qualification, course) must pass for SAAS to cover your tuition.

How It Works

The Four Gates of SAAS Tuition

1. Settled Status: UK/Irish citizen, settled status, ILR, refugee, or pre-settled status with sufficient UK residence.
2. Ordinarily Resident in Scotland on the relevant date (1 August before the academic year starts).
3. 3 Years in UK / Islands / EEA / Switzerland / Gibraltar immediately before the relevant date, not wholly for the purpose of education.
4. Eligible course at a recognised Scottish HEI — first undergraduate degree (or PGDE). Equivalent or higher qualifications (ELQ) disqualify.

Important Caveats

This screener checks the headline residence/status/qualification gates only. SAAS also assesses individual case nuances (e.g. temporary absences, military service, family connections, asylum dates). A failed screen is not a final refusal — always submit the SAAS application for an authoritative decision.

EU students who arrived after 31 December 2020 are generally treated as international unless covered by the EU Settlement Scheme or another protected route.

SAAS: Full-time Funding Eligibility Scottish Government: Student Support Policy