Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 31 July 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will waive the normal three-year residency requirement for home status, for people from Hong Kong who have been granted leave on the British National (Overseas) visa, to access publicly-funded student support, including free tuition, loans, bursaries and grants by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
From academic year 2023-24, the Scottish Government have updated the residency criteria for home fees status and student financial support in Further Education and Higher Education. This update means we can now consider applications for tuition fees, bursaries and/or loans from students with all forms of leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom providing they meet the other eligibility tests set out in Regulations. This extension of support has seen more groups of students become eligible, including those students granted leave on the British National (Overseas) visa route.
The Scottish Government does not have any immediate plans to waive the requirement for 3 years ordinary residence in the UK for this group.