WIREDGOV

**Issued on behalf of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)**

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and the University of Edinburgh have agreed to work in partnership to make life easier for students seeking an accommodation bursary.

SAAS will, on receipt of consent from students, share information on student support with the University to ensure that eligible students will automatically receive additional accommodation bursary support without having to make a separate application.

The agreement demonstrates a commitment by both partners to work together for the benefit of mutual students, meaning less paperwork, a reduced administrative burden for the University and that eligible students get their full entitlement to financial support.

SAAS Chief Executive David Wallace said:

“People want their personal data to work for them. They expect organisations to share their personal data where it’s necessary to provide them with the services they want. The signing of this Agreement, the first we’ve entered into with a higher educational institution, means that our customers will benefit from a better, more efficient service and they can be confident that their personal data is being handled responsibly and securely.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

“We want life to be as simple as possible for students, who have plenty to think about their academic journey without the frustration of needless form-filling. SAAS and the University should be congratulated for their efforts in reducing the bureaucratic burden on all parties.”

Robert Lawrie, Director of Scholarships and Student Administration at the University of Edinburgh, welcoming new bursary students at a reception this week added:

"The University has a long tradition of providing bursaries to our students and this year over 2,100 undergraduates have received a University bursary totalling over £6M. We are delighted that our new partnership working with SAAS has enabled Scotland domiciled students to receive an automatic bursary without having to make an additional application for funding."