Student finance if you change or leave your course
Change your course
If you get student funding and you change your course, you need to contact the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) right away.
You should also contact your college or university to find out if you have to pay back any bursaries or grants.
You may be able to claim an extra year's funding if you need to change course or repeat a period of study. This additional year of funding is called a 'plus one' year.
Find out if you're eligible for extra funding.
If you use this for changing courses you may not be able to get funding if you need to repeat a year.
Full-time to part-time study
During your studies you might need to change from a full-time course to a part-time course.
Studying part-time will affect your:
- living cost funding
- tuition fee funding
- length of time studying
Contact SAAS if you've had funding for a full-time course and you switch to a part-time course. They'll explain how this will impact your funding.
You may be able to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance if you're studying 50% of a full-time course.
Find out about Disabled Students' Allowance in the SAAS funding guide.
Working when you're a part-time student
If you're going to be working while you study part-time you may be eligible for Universal Credit. This can help fund your living costs e.g. childcare. Universal Credit has replaced Working Tax Credit for most people. If you still receive Working Tax Credit and continue to work while you study, this will not change.
If you've taken out student loans with SAAS you'll still have to pay the loans back. This will be when you earn over a certain amount per year.
Leaving your course
If you get funding and you withdraw from your course, contact SAAS to let them know right away.
You should also contact your college or university to find out if you have to pay back any bursaries or grants.
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