nontraditional US student -> Scotland

<p>Hey, everyone!
It's my first time posting, but I've been reading a lot of posts and figured I should send out a query, because I've been panicking a little about school.</p>

<p>I'm a US student, as I said, and was homeschooled through high school- didn't take the SATs, got my GED at age 20. I've applied for several foundation program(me)s and was accepted, and now all I have to do is choose one, and worry about money. </p>

<p>I have Swiss citizenship but haven't lived there (the requirement is usually to have lived there for 3 years prior to study, for reduced/free tuition, I think). </p>

<p>Staying in the US is simply not something I want to do- I'm not an idealistic Anglophile, but I'm dead set on studying in the UK, as it's where I want to be. The thing that worries me about this is the finances, obviously; I'm aiming eventually (next fall) to try and get into the University of Edinburgh, and I know Scotland's a bit different in terms of the educational system. </p>

<p>My question is, can anyone think of any possible way I might not have to pay $35k USD a year for this? Short of like, selling my soul to the highest bidder. :)</p>

<p>This may be a bit off point, but I have read that Finland has universities where they teach in the English language, and that college is free there.</p>

<p>Heavily tempted to sing the fisch schlapping song from Spamalot now, haha.
I just found this out about Sweden, too, apparently. Weird!
I’m pretty sure I don’t want to study in Finland, but thank you so much for responding! :)</p>

<p>I don’t think that any of these countries give free college education to foreigners, the free college education is for their own citizens and residents.</p>

<p>You’ll have to pay the fees I’m afraid, or not go. The UK sees international students as cash cows, to put it bluntly - you’re there to subsidise everyone else. </p>

<p>One way to make it cheaper, however, is to study in England or Wales, as degrees there are only 3 years long (and yes, they are full bachelors honours degrees)</p>

<p>You may be eligible for a student tuition fee loan, as a EU/EEA citizen. This will cover the £9000 for the tuition, directly payable to the university. However, as you have not resided in the UK for the last three years, you cannot apply for the maintenance loans (to cover living expenses).</p>

<p>So, you don’t need to worry about paying for tuition. You need only need to make sure you can get housing and other personal expenses.</p>

<p>Unfortunately what MeIsHM said is not correct. The OP would need to have lived in the EU for 3 years prior to starting the course to be eligible for the tuition fee loan. Even UK citizens who have been outside the EU for 3 years find themselves treated as international students for fee & loan purposes.</p>

<p>Technically, Swizerland is not actually in the European Union or the EEA, but in practice Swiss students have the same entitlements as thsoe from EU/EEA countries. But as others said, you would need to live there for three years first to get home student fees and loans.</p>

<p>My computer charger hasn’t been working, so I just got your responses today- thanks so much, everyone! I figured it was like this, this was what I found on my own, but oh well. I really appreciate all of you responding! :)</p>