5. Other help
Students who have previously been looked after by a local authority in the UK may be eligible for a care-experienced bursary. This is £9,000 a year (for 2023/24) in advanced education – eg, HNC/HND or degree course; and £225 a week (for 2023/24) in non-advanced education – eg, National Qualifications 1–5, Scottish Vocational Qualifications 1–3.
For students in advanced education, there is also a ‘care-experienced accommodation grant’ available from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to help with accommodation costs during the summer vacation. The amount of this grant is up to £105 a week and, if you are eligible, it is paid direct to you. See for details.
Care leavers who are aged 18 or over and are under 26 are exempt from council tax liability. You are exempt if you were looked after on or after your 16th birthday and you are no longer looked after.1Sch 1 para 6 CT(D)(S) Regs This means, for example, that if you live alone there is no council tax charge.