SAAS application - parents' income: FOI release

Information requested

You asked:

1. Why it is the law in Scotland that SAAS ask for your parents’ income if you are under 25 years old and living on your own?

2. Why SAAS needed proof of your father’s income?

Response

In relation to point 1, the procedure for requesting income information for a student’s parents is not defined by legislation but a process derived from a policy decision. You might find it helpful to view our independence criteria on page 16 of the Guidance Booklet on the SAAS website: https://www.saas.gov.uk/_forms/sas4.pdf 

In reference to point 2, generally if a student does not meet the criteria detailed in the guidance booklet for an Independent student we will request details of their parents’ income in order to assess their eligibility for an income assessed award.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.