Funding for North American Students
There are several funding options available to eligible students studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The information below provides guidance for students from the United States and Canada who may be able to access government or private education funding.
Important Information
Before borrowing, students should carefully consider the long-term financial commitment of taking out a loan.
All loans are borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, and we encourage students to maximise grants, scholarships and other forms of free aid before borrowing.
US Federal Student Aid (Federal Direct Loans)
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, resulting in changes to federal student aid programs. Some of these changes went into effect immediately, while others will go into effect next year and beyond. Latest updates are available on the FAFSA website.
Students who are eligible for US Federal Aid may be able to use Federal Direct Loans to support their studies at RCS.
What you can access
- Direct Subsidised Loans
- Direct Unsubsidised Loans
- Parent PLUS Loans
- Graduate PLUS Loans
*Subject to personal and programme eligibility.
Private Loans
If you are not eligible for Federal Aid, or require additional funding, private education loans may be available.
Students who are unable to take out US federal loans or who do not meet the criteria for a US federal loan can borrow from private lenders in the US. For instance, students wishing to study a course which is not approved for federal US loans (Artistic Diploma), or students on distance learning courses based in the US but enrolled on a UK degree course at RCS.
We advise that if you are eligible for US federal loans, you investigate these before applying for a US private student loan, as federal loans are often cheaper and most American students are eligible for them. Please note that US private student loans do not enable you to borrow more funds than US federal loans.
If you wish to apply for a private US student loan, please email US Federal loans. From May onwards, we will email you a Cost of Attendance to inform you of the amount of loan you are able to borrow.
The Conservatoire is willing to work with any lender who offers alternative educational loans to students enrolled at foreign schools. Currently we are aware of Sallie Mae and Earnest. Further information can be found in the Private loan section of the site here.
Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae offers private student loans covering eligible educational costs, including tuition and living expenses. The lender encourages students to explore federal aid first before considering private borrowing.
Earnest
Earnest provides private student loans with flexible repayment options and a range of loan terms. International students may be eligible when applying with a qualifying US citizen or permanent resident cosigner.
Other regional loan options
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)
VSAC provides education financing resources and student loans to eligible borrowers, including certain students studying outside Vermont institutions. The organisation emphasises exploring grants, scholarships and federal aid before borrowing.
What you can access
- Student loans
- Parent loans
- Financial aid guidance
- Loan comparison resources
StudentAid BC
Students ordinarily resident in British Columbia may be eligible to apply for student loans, grants and other financial assistance through StudentAid BC. Applications assess eligibility for both provincial and federal funding. Please note that you should get in touch with RCS as early as possible as your programme may have to be added to our accredited list. This must be granted before the start date of your programme and can take a number of weeks/months to come through.
What you can access
- Government student loans
- Grants
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Additional support programmes
Important Disclaimer
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is not a lender and does not provide financial advice. Loan products, eligibility criteria, interest rates and repayment terms are determined by individual lenders and may change. Students are responsible for reviewing the full terms and conditions of any loan before applying.
| Funding Option | Repayment Required | Provider |
| Federal Student Aid | Yes | US Government |
| Private Loans | Yes | Sallie Mae / Earnest |
| Scholarships & Bursaries | No | Various |
| StudentAid BC | Usually Partially | Government of British Columbia |
| VSAC | Yes | VSAC |