Best Ever Year For Student Support

2nd September 2012

The vast majority of Scottish students will start university knowing that their package of financial support is already in place, it was announced today.

The Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) has already processed 117,000 applications in record time, meaning there is one less thing for students to be worried about ahead of the coming academic year.

The processed applications include all of those who applied by the end of June, ensuring that SAAS has met its guarantee for 2012.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said:"I am pleased that, with a number of weeks to go before most students start university, the vast majority of them can look ahead to their studies, already knowing what their financial support package looks like.

"This is the best ever year for SAAS in meeting their guarantees and the organisation has worked very hard to turn round so many applications in such a short space of time. All 105,405 students who applied by the end of June had their applications processed last week.

"This shows we are in a strong position and ready to deliver the best package of student support in the UK, with a minimum income of £7,250 for the most vulnerable students, from next year.

"I would like to wish every student, be they a fresher or a postgraduate, the very best of success for the coming academic year."