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Extra help - children and adult dependants (now closed)

Student Money Week 2017

Got a question about Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants' Grant or Special Support Grant?

SFE assessor, Emma is here to answer your questions.

SFE Advisor for this Q&A

Emma Gabriel, Student Finance Assessor

Emma is one of SFE’s experienced Student Finance Assessors. She specialises in grants for students with children or adult dependents and social media.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 1

fran_wooldridge

I haven't even done the bursary yet as need to ring up amd find out how I'd go about getting the childcare grant as it didn't mention it on the bursary site so it's all very confusing haha when was your interview? Mine was December 3 amd i got the offer two days later : )

I'm really excited about starting just nervous! X

Reply 2

sarah_jayne

Hi, I am a full time student in my 2nd year out of a 4 year degree. I am thinking of cutting down to part time as of Sept as the workload feels impossible with a family.. My husband is starting a full time 3 year degree in September and will cutting down his work to part time.
Are we likely to qualify for Childcare grant if one of us studies full time and the other studies part time?
Thanks
SJ

Did you know Student Finance has it’s own designated channel on You Tube? Why not take a look through some of our videos using the link below where you’ll find further information on applying for Adult Dependants’s Grant, Parental Learning Allowance and the Childcare Grant.
https://www.youtube.com/user/SFEFILM

Got a questions about the Childcare Grant, Parental Learning Allowance or Adult Dependants’ Grant? Post below and I’ll be online today between 12:00 – 13:00 to answer them.

Student Finance England also has a Facebook page. Why not take a look?
https://www.facebook.com/SFEngland
Did you know we also hold regular Grants for Dependants’ “Surgeries” where you can leave me a question to answer on the Adult Dependant’s Grant, Parental Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant. Keep a look out for these surgery dates by checking our page regularly.

Have you seen our Extra Help – Dependants Grants 2015/16 guide?

http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/media/865001/sfe_dependants_grants_guide_1516_d.pdf

CHILDCARE GRANT

Thinking of applying for the childcare grant?
Why not watch our new student finance video on applying for the childcare grant?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRBE6mlNsnQ&index=1&list=PL4wogSHG9Pv-VXvsLjoaWno6Q_BBW-ubw

Further information regarding the Childcare Grant is available on our website:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/overview

Need a Childcare Grant Application Form?
Download one now from our website:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Original post by sarah_jayne

Hi, I am a full time student in my 2nd year out of a 4 year degree. I am thinking of cutting down to part time as of Sept as the workload feels impossible with a family.. My husband is starting a full time 3 year degree in September and will cutting down his work to part time.
Are we likely to qualify for Childcare grant if one of us studies full time and the other studies part time?
Thanks
SJ

Hi Sarah_Jayne. Thank you for your enquiry. Yes - if one of you is studying Full Time and other is studying Part Time in the same academic year, then the student studying Full Time will be eligible to apply for both the Childcare Grant and Parental Learning Allowance.

I hope the above is of assistance to you.

Take care and best of luck

Emma

Original post by fran_wooldridge

I haven't even done the bursary yet as need to ring up amd find out how I'd go about getting the childcare grant as it didn't mention it on the bursary site so it's all very confusing haha when was your interview? Mine was December 3 amd i got the offer two days later : )

I'm really excited about starting just nervous! X

Hi Fran

If you're looking to apply for the childcare grant, you will find plenty of useful information, guidance and forms in the links below.

Why not watch our new student finance video on applying for the childcare grant?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRBE6mlNsnQ&index=1&list=PL4wogSHG9Pv-VXvsLjoaWno6Q_BBW-ubw

Need a Childcare Grant Application Form?
Download one now from our website:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Further information regarding the Childcare Grant is available on our website:
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/overview

I hope you will find the above links of assistance.

Take care, Emma :0)

Reply 10

Breading

I am trying to work out of its possible for me to go to school with a baby on the way but without any published information I am unable to calculate if its possible.

I understand that the childcare and adult dependant grants are means tested. How can I do the calculation to see if I am eligible?
How do I know if my husband is a dependant?

Am I allowed to earn income during the year and will it count in the means test?

Reply 11

LouCassidy

I am due to start a teacher training course at a school in September and am looking into childcare options. My husband is in the Armed Forces on a fairly low wage and I won't be earning whilst training. Who can I speak to regarding financial help with childcare?

Reply 12

Tasha44709

5

Is it possible to get full funding for childcare? Me and my partner will both be full time students from September and we have 2 children and don't know how we will afford the other 15% and during the summer to keep there places open

Original post by Breading

I am trying to work out of its possible for me to go to school with a baby on the way but without any published information I am unable to calculate if its possible.

I understand that the childcare and adult dependant grants are means tested. How can I do the calculation to see if I am eligible?
How do I know if my husband is a dependant?

Am I allowed to earn income during the year and will it count in the means test?

Hello and thank you for your enquiry.

From your post, I am assuming that you are married with a child on the way.

Each application is assessed on an individual basis. Based on the information you have provided, you will currently be eligible to apply for the Adult Dependants Grant of up to £2757 for the 2015/16 academic year.

On the birth of your child, you would then be eligible to apply for the Parental Learning Allowance of up to £1573 during the 2015/16 academic year and the Childcare Grant.

As you are married, your husband would be classed as your Adult Dependant.

The amount you could get will depend on the income your husband received during the 2013/14 tax year.

Any income you earn during your academic year will not affect your 2015/16 entitlement.

Why not take a look through some of our videos using the link below where you’ll find further information on applying for Adult Dependants’s Grant, Parental Learning Allowance and the Childcare Grant.
https://www.youtube.com/user/SFEFILM

You may also find our Extra Help – Dependants Grants 2015/16 guide useful too!
http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/media/865001/sfe_dependants_grants_guide_1516_d.pdf

Why not apply online and submit an application? You are under no obligation to accept the offer of support and you will know what you could receive should you decide to study.

Take care, Emma

Original post by LouCassidy

I am due to start a teacher training course at a school in September and am looking into childcare options. My husband is in the Armed Forces on a fairly low wage and I won't be earning whilst training. Who can I speak to regarding financial help with childcare?

Hi Lou. Thank you for your post. Initially, I would suggest you speak to your University / College for advice on what support is available to you. If you course is eligible for support from Student Finance, your University or College will confirm this to you.

In the meantime, you may find our Extra Help – Dependants Grants 2015/16 guide useful

http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/media/865001/sfe_dependants_grants_guide_1516_d.pdf

We also have a range of short videos which may help you too

https://www.youtube.com/user/SFEFILM

Take care, Emma

Reply 15

LouCassidy

Original post by Emma Gabriel

Hi Lou. Thank you for your post. Initially, I would suggest you speak to your University / College for advice on what support is available to you. If you course is eligible for support from Student Finance, your University or College will confirm this to you.

In the meantime, you may find our Extra Help – Dependants Grants 2015/16 guide useful

http://www.sfengland.slc.co.uk/media/865001/sfe_dependants_grants_guide_1516_d.pdf

We also have a range of short videos which may help you too

https://www.youtube.com/user/SFEFILM

Take care, Emma

Thanks

Original post by Tasha44709

Is it possible to get full funding for childcare? Me and my partner will both be full time students from September and we have 2 children and don't know how we will afford the other 15% and during the summer to keep there places open

Hello Tasha. Thanks for your enquiry.

The amount of support available to you will be dependent on the income your partner received during the 2013/14 tax year.

Similarly, the amount of support available to your partner will also depend on the income you received during the 2013/14 tax year.

You each could be eligible to apply for the Special Support Grant of up to £3387 during the 2015/16 academic year, and the Parental Learning Allowance of up to £1573 during the 2015/16 academic year.

However, only one of you may apply for the childcare grant. It may be worth mentioning that we can pay retainer fees if your approved childcare provider charges these to keep your child's place open through holiday periods etc.

Why not submit an application and include your childcare grant application? This will give you an idea of what you would be entitled to and you are also under no obligation to take up the offer of support from Student Finance. Apply early and beat the last minute rush!

NB: The above is based on you both being Over 25

Take care, Emma x

Thanks for all your questions! If you didn't get your question in on time we have another live webchat on the same topic tomorrow at 10am.

You can also read our new, interactive quick start guides for information on all things student finance, including Dependants' Grants!

Extra help - children and adult dependants (now closed)

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