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 2024/25) in advanced education – eg, HNC/HND or degree course; and £225 a week (for 2024/25) in non-advanced education – eg, National Qualifications 1–5, Scottish Vocational Qualifications 1–3.
For care-experienced students in advanced education, there is also a ‘summer accommodation grant’ available from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to help with accommodation costs during the summer vacation. The grant is £1,330 if you are in ‘formal accommodation’, such as renting a flat or £665 if you are staying with friends or family. You get a one-off grant, paid in advance. 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.