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Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook 2025/26

Chapter 20: Time out from studies

• 1. Ill health
• Full-time students
• From the start of your ill health
• From three months
• From 28 weeks
• Once you have recovered
• Student support
• Part-time students
• From the start of your ill health
• From three months
• Once you have recovered
• 2. Pregnancy and children
• Lone parents
• Fathers and partners
• Couples
• 3. Carers
• 4. Re-sits
• 5. Time out for other reasons

Basic facts

•Students may be able to receive student support or get social security benefits during periods of absence from their course.
•Support is usually only available if you have taken time out because you are ill or pregnant, or because you have to care for someone.
•Support may also be available once you have recovered from your illness or your caring responsibilities have ceased and you are waiting to return to your course.