Question reference: S6W-09862
- Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 19 July 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 August 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to increasing student nurse bursaries to help retain them in the health care profession, in light of the rising cost of living.
Answer
The Scottish Government package of support for Scottish student nurses is currently at its highest level, and is the highest level of support available to nursing and midwifery students across the UK. Our non-means tested, non-repayable paramedic, nursing and midwifery student bursary is £10,000 per year and will remain at this level for the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year. Scottish domiciled students on degree, honours and masters levels of study leading to registration as a paramedic, nurse or midwife are all eligible.
Nursing students may also be eligible for a range of funding on top of the non-means tested bursary, including a Dependants Allowance, Disabled Students’ Allowance and/or Single Parent’s Allowance.
Students who are in financial difficulty may also be able to access the Nursing & Midwifery Discretionary Fund, which is administered by higher education institutions on behalf of the Scottish Government.