A future SNP government will seek to "equalise" financial support for students at colleges and universities, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
The First Minister said it was time for a review of "the overall landscape of student support", stating that details will be included in the party's election manifesto.
Ms Sturgeon was speaking at a National Union of Students Scotland hustings event with the Scottish party leaders.
She said she would look at addressing "anomalies" in the system which can mean that those studying at colleges do not receive the same level of help as those at universities.
"I don't think access to student support should be based on where you choose to study, it should be based on your particular circumstances as a student," Ms Sturgeon said.
"I think we should be looking at having an equalised system of student support across further education and higher education so that it is you and your circumstances that drives the level of support you get, not where you choose to go to study."
Pressed for details of the review, she added: "You will have to wait for our manifesto - but you can take it from what I have said that reviewing the entirety of student support to look at the anomalies and the different levels of support for different types of students is certainly something I want to see."
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have both pledged to increase financial support for students.
Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, vowed her party would increase the young student bursary by about £900, while the independent student bursary - paid to those who are no longer dependent on their parents - would rise by around £180.
She said: "Labour will deliver better student support in Scotland, giving a better and fairer deal to the poorest students. We will keep tuition free and reverse the SNP's cuts to higher education bursaries for the poorest students so that anyone can afford to go to university.
"We can make that promise because of the different decisions we are taking on tax to invest in education."
Lib Dem leader William Rennie said his party would provide £30 million of new bursary funding to help students, and would increase the point at which people have to start repaying their student loans from the current threshold of £17,495 to £21,000.
The Liberal Democrats would also provide £5 million additional bursary support for colleges, and would keep university free for Scottish students.
Mr Rennie said: "The Liberal Democrats will provide £30 million of new bursary support for Scottish students. This will allow us to meet the recommendations on the Commission on Widening Access. We will turn back the tide of the SNP's switch to loans rather than grants.
"To be the best again on education, we need students from all backgrounds studying hard at colleges and universities. Our plan for better bursary support will give more access to more students."
The only party against free university education are the Conservatives, who propose a £1,500 a year graduate contribution - amounting to £6,000 for a four-year honours degree - which would be paid by those earning £20,000 a year or more.
Conservative candidate Adam Tomkins said the party would use the money to fund bursaries for poorer students and reverse cuts to further education.
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