Childcare Grant

Childcare Grant

Students with dependent children

If you're a full-time student with dependent children under the age of 15 (or under 17 if they have special educational needs) you may be able to get extra funding.

The Childcare Grant is to help with the cost of childcare and you can apply for this when completing your main student finance application.

Childcare Grant

In this section

Parents' Learning Allowance

National Scholarship Programme

University bursaries

NHS bursaries

Adult Dependants' Grant

Second degree students

Postgraduate Initial Teacher Training students

Students with disabilities, mental-health conditions or specific learning difficulties

What's it for?	Helps with childcare costs if you've a dependent child aged under the age of 15 at the beginning of the academic year (or under 17 if they have special educational needs) and they're in registered, approved childcare.
What doesn’t it cover?	You can't get the Childcare Grant if you or your husband, wife or partner gets the childcare part of the Working Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs. All three and four-year-olds are able to get a free, part-time early-learning place (for 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year) in a pre-school setting. 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.
How much can I get?	Depending on your household income, you can apply for 85% of your actual childcare costs during term times and holidays. You can get up to £148.75 a week for one child or up to £255 a week for two or more children.
How's it paid?	Usually in three instalments, one at the start of each term, direct to your bank account in addition to your other student finance payments.
Do I have to pay it back?	No, unless your estimated costs were higher than your actual costs or you fail to provide confirmation of actual costs.
How will getting this grant affect my entitlement to benefit?	The Childcare Grant won't be taken into account when Jobcentre Plus or your local authority’s housing benefit teams are working out your other benefits. HM Revenue & Customs won't count any Childcare Grant you receive when working out your entitlement to tax credits, unless you're getting the childcare element of working tax credit.