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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)
• help through the Access to Learning Fund (if you’re in financial difficulty)
• Child Tax Credit

The information on this page is only a general guide to the financial help available if you have children. For more details about the extra help you can get, download a copy of the booklet 'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education'.

• Download Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education 2007/2008 (PDF, 1042K)

Childcare Grant: help with childcare costs

The Childcare Grant is there to help full-time students with the cost of childcare during term times and holidays. Any money you get doesn’t have to be paid back.

The table below shows the maximum amounts available, but how much you actually get depends on:

• your income and the income of your dependants (for example, your spouse or partner)
• the actual costs of your childcare

Maximum amounts available:

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 childcare that qualifies for the grant
• have dependent children under 17 with special needs - and they’re in 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 varies 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
  

• Childcare that qualifies for the Childcare Grant in England
• Childcare that qualifies for the Childcare Grant in Scotland
• Childcare that qualifies for the Childcare Grant in Northern Ireland
• Childcare that qualifies for the Childcare Grant in Wales

Parents' Learning Allowance

The Parents' Learning Allowance can help pay for course-related costs such as books, materials and travel. It’s available on top of any standard student finance you get, and doesn’t have to be paid back.

How much is available through the Parents' Learning Allowance?

The amount of Parents' Learning Allowance you get will depend on your household income. For 2008/2009, the maximum is £1,470 a year. For 2007/2008, it’s £1,435.

Who can apply?

You may be able to get the Parents' Learning Allowance if you’re are a full-time student with dependent children. You can apply whether or not you get the Childcare Grant.

Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance: how to apply

You can apply for the Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance before or during your course.

On the main student finance application, complete the section that asks about applying for extra help for students with children.

• How to apply for Student Loans, grants and bursaries
• How to apply for student finance - after your first year

Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund can provide support for students on lower incomes who run into financial difficulties.

Universities and colleges decide how to distribute payments, but students with children - and especially lone parents - are a priority for the fund.

• Access to Learning Fund: extra help if you need it

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.

• Tax credits (money, tax and benefits section)

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:

• your local authority if you’re getting the Childcare Grant or Parents’ Learning Allowance
• 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

• If your circumstances change while you are studying

What other help can you get?

Help for students with children is paid on top of the standard student finance package.

To find out what other types of financial help you can get, follow one of the links below. If you’re a new student, or started your course from September 2006, see ‘Full-time students: getting started’. Otherwise, see ‘Student finance: started before 2006?’.

• Finance for full-time students - getting started
• Student finance after your first year: started before September 2006?

More useful links

• Finance for Initial Teacher Training