The following information relates to students domiciled in England.
Students from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland should follow the links below for advice, information and guidance on their support entitlement.
Any full-time student who cares for a child, or children, on the first day of the academic year for which they are applying for support will be treated as an independent student for the purposes of the household income assessment. This means that their own income (and their partners, where applicable) will be used by Student Finance England to determine their student financial support entitlement.
If you are a student with children that are dependent on you, you could be eligible to receive the Parents' Learning Allowance, depending on your income and that of your dependants (including husband, wife or partner). Students could receive a grant of between £50 and £1,508 in 2012/2013 which is paid by the Student Loans Company in three termly instalments with the Maintenance Loan. The Parents' Learning Allowance does not have to be repaid, unless you leave your course early.
For more information on applying for Parents’ Learning Allowance, see the guide Childcare Grant and other support for student parents (PDF, 537 kb) and the fact sheet Students with children or adult dependants (PDF, 271 KB) .
If you require childcare while you are a student and your childcare is registered or accredited, depending on your family income, you may be eligible to receive a Childcare Grant. The grant could pay 85 per cent of your childcare costs.
The maximum available is £148.75 per week for one child and £255 per week for two or more children. The Childcare Grant is paid in three termly instalments with the maintenance loan. The Childcare Grant does not have to be repaid unless your estimated costs were higher than your actual costs, or you don’t confirm the actual costs to Student Finance England (SFE) when asked. You may also have to pay it back if your household’s actual income and outgoings were different from those you gave in your application.
You cannot get this grant if you or your husband, wife or partner receives the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit from HM Revenue and Customs.
SFE will ask you to fill in a Childcare Grant application form (CCG1) form to estimate your childcare costs for the year. At the end of each term or childcare period SFE will send you a childcare costs confirmation form (CCG2) for you and your childcare provider to fill in. This asks your childcare provider to confirm the actual payments you‘ve made to them. If the actual amount is more or less than you estimated in your application, SFE will reduce or increase your next instalment of childcare grant.
All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to a free, part-time early-learning place (for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year) in a pre-school setting such as a nursery. The childcare grant won't be paid for any period covered by this free place. However, it can be paid to cover the cost of any extra childcare you use over and above this. Information about free early-learning places is available.
The 2012/13 Childcare Grant Application Form (CCG1) (PDF, 246kb) is available to download now. The confirmation of childcare costs form (CCG2) will be available in October 2012.
Students with dependant children are eligible for Child Tax Credit from the HM Revenue and Customs. Students who receive the maximum amount of Child Tax Credit are also entitled to free school meals for their children. Students with children and a partner who works at least 16 hours per week should also apply for the Working Tax Credit. To find out more about Tax Credits telephone the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900 or visit the HM Revenue and Customs website.
Students with a partner (including partner of the same sex) or another adult (usually a family member) who is financially dependent on them may be eligible for the Adult Dependants' Grant.
The amount students receive is dependent on their household income. Where applicable, the maximum grant in respect of a spouse or civil partner will be £2,642. Where there is no spouse or civil partner, a student may be eligible for this grant in respect of one adult dependant whose net income does not exceed £3,796.
Application for these grants can be made through Student Finance England. These grants can be applied for at the same time as your Student Loan for living costs and tuition fees and Maintenance/Special Support Grant.
Student Finance England is the service delivering student finance to higher education entrants living in England.
If you are from Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland you should apply to Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland or SAAS as appropriate.
The sections below outline how staff from the Benefits Agency will consider your student funding entitlement when working out your benefit entitlement.
Continuing single parent students are usually entitled to Income Support/Job Seekers' Allowance (Job Seekers' Allowance depends upon your circumstances) and full Housing Benefit during the Summer vacation months of July and August only. Please note, to be eligible to claim Job Seekers' Allowance you must be available for work during the summer-vacation period.
Students are advised to put in a claim for benefits at the start of the academic year and notify the Benefits Agency of 'a change of circumstance' early in the Summer Term.
Continuing students who do not restart their studies until October should contact the Student Funding Office towards the end of the Summer Term to request an application for Support for Summer Vacation funding from the Undergraduate Access to Learning Fund, as any benefit calculated may not be enough to cover expenses.
If the benefit entitlement you receive in September is at the same level as those received in July and August, this is likely to be an error and students should contact their Benefits Agency quoting the following regulations:
Please note, these are the most up-to-date circulars that we understand are currently is use by the Benefits Agency.
New students in receipt of benefits before starting University should inform the Benefits Agency that they are going to become a student. If they are not informed about a change in circumstances and students continue to receive payments, they will be liable to repay these amounts, which may affect future benefit claims.
Student couples with dependants are eligible to apply for Housing Benefit during term time, and Income Support/Job Seekers' Allowance (depending upon your circumstances) and Housing Benefit during the long vacation.
Students who have a mortgage are ineligible to apply for Housing Benefit during term time, but should apply for Income Support, which may include assistance with housing costs.
It is advisable to write to the Benefits Agency to inform them about changes to circumstances and keep a copy of all correspondence sent. If you speak to someone over the phone always make a note of their name, plus the date and time of the call for future reference.
A limited sum from the Brenda Lee-Whiting Fund is committed to provide financial assistance for carers, for whom home circumstances make it difficult for them to take advantage of learning opportunities - even on a part-time basis. Application should be made in writing to the Student Funding Manager at the Student Funding Office.