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Childcare Grant and other help for students with children
If you're a full-time higher education student with dependent children, you may be able to get extra financial help. The Childcare Grant can help with childcare costs, and the Parents' Learning Allowance with costs related to your course. Other help includes Child Tax Credit and the Access to Learning Fund.
Financial help for parents in higher education
Full-time students with children may qualify for extra financial help on top of the standard student finance package. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get:
- the Childcare Grant (to help with childcare costs)
- the Parents' Learning Allowance (to help towards course costs - like books, materials and travel)
- help through the Access to Learning Fund (if you're in financial difficulty)
- Child Tax Credit
Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance
If you qualify, the Childcare Grant could cover as much as 85 per cent of your childcare costs during term time and holidays - up to a maximum of £148.75 per week if you have one child, or £255 per week if you have two or more children.
The Parents' Learning Allowance could give you between £50 and £1,508 for 2010/11 or 2009/10.
How much you get depends on your household income - and, for the Childcare Grant, the actual costs of your childcare. Any help you get is paid on top of the standard student finance package, and doesn't have to be paid back.
Apply for finance online
Apply now for 2009/10 or 2010/11
Applying for the Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance
You'll need to complete the relevant sections on your main student finance application - the one you use to apply for student loans and grants.
You can currently apply for the 2009/10 or 2010/11 academic years.
The quickest and easiest way to apply is to do it online - but it's also possible to apply on paper.
If you want to apply for the Childcare Grant, you'll also need to complete the Childcare Grant application (form CCG1).
You and your childcare provider will then need to complete a 'childcare costs confirmation form' (form CCG2) three times a year.
You should send completed forms to Student Finance England if you’re a new student - or you started your course in 2009/10.
If you started in 2008/09 or earlier, you should return the forms to either your local authority or the Student Loans Company - depending on where you live. See 'Contact your local authority: student finance applications' to find out where you need to send your forms.
Who can apply for the Childcare Grant?
You can apply if you:
- are a full-time student
- have dependent children under 15 - and they're in registered or approved childcare (childcare that qualifies for the grant)
- have dependent children under 17 with special needs - and they're in registered or approved childcare (childcare that qualifies for the grant)
If you, or your spouse or partner, get the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, you won't be able to get the Childcare Grant as well.
Types of childcare that qualify
Not all types of childcare qualify for the Childcare Grant. The conditions your childcare provider needs to meet vary depending on where in the UK you study. Follow the relevant link below to find out if they qualify.
You may also be able to get the Childcare Grant if you:
- are an English student studying abroad as part of your UK course, and
- are able to use childcare provided under a Ministry of Defence accreditation scheme while you're abroad
Who can apply for the Parents' Learning Allowance?
You may be able to get the Parents' Learning Allowance if you're a full-time student with dependent children. You can apply whether or not you get the Childcare Grant.
Access to Learning Fund
The Access to Learning Fund can provide support for students on lower incomes who run into financial difficulty. Universities and colleges decide how to distribute payments, but students with children - and especially lone parents - are a priority for the fund.
Child Tax Credit and other benefits
You may also be able to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances and income.
Money you get through the Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance won't be counted as income when working out your entitlement to tax credits or other benefits.
What to do if your circumstances change
If your circumstances change - for example, if your income goes up or down - it’s important to tell:
- Student Finance England or your local authority (whichever one handled your application) if you're getting the Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance - send them a completed 'change of circumstances form for full-time students' (form CO1)
- your university or college if you're getting help through the Access to Learning Fund
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you're getting tax credits
More about financial help for students with children
The information on this page is only a general guide to the support available. For more details on financial help for students with children, download a copy of the booklet 'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education'.
Applying for 2008/09?
Student finance applications close nine months after the start of the academic year.
But if you’re still able to apply for 2008/09, you’ll need to get a 2008/09 version of the relevant form from your local authority – or from the Student Loans Company, if they’re handling applications for your area.
More useful links
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Additional links
Student finance online services
