Student loans and SAAS
The first step you should take when looking for funding is to apply for any external or government funding you are eligible for.
Student loans
If you are a UK student studying a full-time undergraduate course, the main support for living costs is through a low-interest student loan, which is partly income-assessed.
To be eligible for a loan, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are studying on a full-time undergraduate course that qualifies for a loan
- You meet UK residence eligibility conditions (for details, contact the funding body applicable to your UK home country)
To apply for a student loan, visit the website of the relevant funding body:
- If your home is in Scotland, check out the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
- If you are from England, visit the UK Government website
- If you are from Northern Ireland, visit the Student Finance Northern Ireland
- If you are from Wales, visit Student Finance Wales
Student loan FAQs
What happens if I don't receive my first instalment?
If you have not received a payment, please ensure that you have:
- Fully completed the University's registration process
- Signed your SLC online declaration
- Given SLC have a valid National Insurance number (NINO) and your bank details
- Informed Edinburgh Napier University and SLC of any changes to your details, such as name and address
If you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of non-payment of your loan/bursary you should consider your eligibility to apply for help from the Discretionary Fund.
If you have not received your first instalment, and have completed the registration process in full, you should contact the Student Administration team to find out why.
When will I get my loan or bursary?
If your application has been assessed, your student loan should be with you on the first day of term (providing we have confirmed your attendance), or 2-3 days after we confirm your attendance, whichever date is later.
To check whether the University has confirmed your attendance, please visit the 'Financial Support' section of your eStudent records, which should provide you the date the notification was sent to the Student Loans Company.
What if I am an international or EU student, or do not qualify for a student loan?
Unless you have been living in the UK for three full years before the start of your first course of study, you will not be entitled to a student loan. If you are not sure of your residency status, you can confirm your situation with the Student Awards Agency for Scotland by calling 0300 555 0505 or via their webchat.
The British Council's Study UK website has a facility allowing international students from both inside and outside the EU to search for and gain advice on scholarships.
If you cannot get funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland or Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you may be able to apply for other types of funding. Visit our ENU scholarships, bursaries and additional funding page for more information.
How do I pay back my student loan?
Once you have completed your studies, you will start to pay back your student loan. The SLC (Student Loans Company) will work with HMRC to collect repayments.
You do not start to repay your student loan until the April after you graduate. The amount repaid depends on how much you earn, which part of the UK you are from and when you started your course.
SAAS update
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is Scotland's student funding agency, providing government money to pay for your course tuition fees and giving you money directly to help with your living costs while you study.
SAAS funding applications for 2025/26 are now open, and we would encourage all continuing students to make their applications as early as possible to guarantee funding is in place for the start of your course.
Part-time fee grant and support
Part-time fee grants or loans are available to some students from Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Students from Scotland
The Part-Time Fee Grant, which is managed by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), provides help each year towards the cost of tuition fees for eligible part time undergraduate students. The money is paid directly to the University. The level of tuition fee SAAS can pay depends on the number of credits you take and the qualification you are studying for.
For information about the Part Time Fee Grant, the full eligibility criteria and details of how and when to apply please visit the SAAS website.
Students from the rest of the UK
Part time students who are from England, Wales or Northern Ireland may be eligible for fee grants or loans and/or course grants or loans.
Eligibility will depend on income and when you start your course. Full information about what is available and who is eligible to apply is on the student finance pages of the UK Government’s website.
There is also a range of helpful guides available for students from the rest of the UK.