Childcare Grant
This grant is available to higher education students in England and Wales and can help you with your childcare costs. The Childcare Grant is paid in three instalments and does not have to be repaid.
You are eligible for this if you are a full-time student with dependant child aged up to 14 (or 16 if your child has special needs) and you pay for registered childcare.
The grant is assessed on your personal circumstances and offers up to 85 per cent of your registered childcare costs for 52 weeks of the year. It will pay up to £175 per week for 1 child and £300 per week for 2 or more children.
The maximum grant award is:
- £148.75 per week (£7,735 per year) for 1 child
- £255.00 per week (£13,260 per year) for 2 or more children
This grant is not taken into account when calculating income for benefit purposes. You cannot get this grant if you claim the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.
For further information and details about how to apply, contact your local education authority. You can find details of your local education authority of the Student Finance direct website, www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.
Parents' Learning Allowance
If you are a full-time student, you may be eligible to apply for the Parents' Learning Allowance in addition to the Childcare Grant. The grant aims to support you with course-related costs such as childcare, travel, books, and equipment and can be worth up to £1,435 per year, although the amount you will receive will depend on your circumstances.
It is usually paid in three instalments alongside your Student Loan and you will not have to repay it.
For further information you can contact the student support or welfare officer at your college or university. Applications should be made to the local education authority. You can find details of your local education authority of the Student Finance direct website, www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.
Access to Learning Fund
This funding is available through your university or college and may provide extra financial support to enable you to stay on a course, if the Childcare Grant does not cover all the costs of your childcare.
You can be studying full time or part time and will be assessed according to your individual need. Your college will assess your application and decide on the level of funding to give to you, which will be based on your individual circumstances.
You can apply to the student services or welfare officer who can advise you about what information is needed for an application.
Payments are usually given as grants and do not have to be repaid. Short-term loans are also sometimes available.