SAAS issues apology after student funds delayed

THE authority which hands out funding to university students has been forced to apologise after more than 30,000 were left without vital bursary payments.

Funds did not reach students' bank accounts. Picture: TSPL

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), an agency of the Scottish Government, had scheduled the payments for Tuesday, but problems caused by Monday’s Bank Holiday meant many students did not receive the money needed for living 
expenses.

SAAS said all those affected had now received the money, and urged anyone put into financial difficulty as a result of the mistake to get in touch.

A spokeswoman for SAAS said: “All students scheduled to receive a payment now have their money.

“Students are entitled to a package of loan and bursary, all students received their loan payments on time. However, bursary payments affecting around a fifth of SAAS customers’ and averaging around £170, were delayed by one day.

“SAAS contacted all affected students to confirm when their money would be available and details of the SAAS helpline.”

Last year, there were claims the student support system was in “chaos” after 6,000 students were left waiting for loans and bursaries .