Kainos partners with SAAS to streamline student funding

Kainos announces the successful delivery of a new online student portal for Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to help process over 150,000 applications annually from eligible students in higher education across the UK. The service is now live, and is already handling thousands of applications from students for 2017-18. SAAS is an agency of the Scottish Government responsible for process applications for student grants in Scotland. Kainos was engaged by SAAS to upgrade its applications system, and to provide an easy to use, efficient online portal. The new system not only processes applications in a more streamlined way, but also allows easy upload of documents and supporting evidence, progress checking and handling enquiries. Built-in analytics allow real time review and refinement of the process, and a new content management system makes it easy and cost-effective for editors to update the site. The new solution implements the Scottish Government's Digital First standards, removing paper applications for post-graduates and significantly reducing the volume of paper in the system. It also minimises the number of calls received for support, and the time spent requesting additional information. Colin Greenaway, Kainos Service Delivery Manager, said: 'Working closely with SAAS and student representatives, we've been able to deliver a responsive, highly accessible system that maximises time and cost efficiencies. The new service meets government usability guidelines and is easily accessible, responsive and usable. Together, we've improved the perception of the service and enhanced operational efficiency and business resilience.' SAAS Chief Executive, Paul Lowe said 'As the national student funding body for over 250,000 Scottish students we are thrilled to have modernised our student funding systems and are able to launch our new SAAS Account'.