Discretionary funds are allocated by Scottish Ministers via the Student Awards Agency for Scotland and are administered by individual institutions. These funds are intended to provide non-repayable assistance to home students in financial difficulties in order for them to access and/or continue in Higher Education and are paid in addition to other forms of student support.

They are awarded to students enrolled on a degree-level programme of study at the GSA.

Decisions are made by the 'Hardship Committee'. This is a panel of academic and administrative staff following guidelines set out by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. All applications are assessed according to need.

Applicants are advised in writing of the outcome of their application, approximately one week after the application deadline. If successful your award will be require to be collected by you on the date stated in your letter. This is likely to be not more than two weeks following the the initial application deadline.

Due to a limited amount of funding, your award may be less than the sum that you requested and be insufficient to meet your needs. It is not possible to indicate in advance how much money you will be granted.

If your application is not successful, you will be advised in writing and you may appeal against the Committee's decision.

For further information please use the links to the left or email welfare@gsa.ac.uk