The Student Room Group

Extra help for students with children and adult dependants by SLC

Got a question about what help you can get if you’re a student with children or adult dependants? Our experts are here to help.

Emma has been with Student Finance for over nine years and is one of our Grants for Dependants Senior Assessors, specialising in the Adult Dependants Grant, Parents Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant.

Please be aware all answers will be posted on Monday 12 February.

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I am going to be doing a nurse course in September and have two kids which I will need to put in before and after school club, could I get any money towards the cost. I don't work, my husband does but we can't afford the child care cost, as only have one wage coming in.
Reply 2
I'm a single Mummy with 3 children. My elder two are fine but my youngest is only 2. He will receive his free 15 hours but what other help with I be able to get?
I'll be doing full time course.
Hi,

I have a child who will be one when I start in September. I will be applying for the grant to support with childcare costs howver it asks for an estimated cost. I won’t know this as I do not know the hours will be in uni. How can I estimate ? Thank you
I want to do a degree but its a 2 hour Drive each way, 3 x pw and moving or staying is not really an option due to my family life. Is there any funds available from SaaS or Perth uhi to help with travel expenses? I am in a fairly rural area and learning opportunities are so rare I feel I am at a disadvantage.
Reply 5
Hi I'm a single parent with two kids (aged 1 &5) i start a children's nursing course in January. I am currently on universal credit and studying an access course, I was told if you get student loans then they deduct this cost from ur universal credit payments ! Is this true, because if it is I don't think it's entirely fair seen as we have to pay the loan back? I was going to use it towards a car as mine as packing in. Yet if it's the case of it being deducted from UC payments then I can because I use that money to survive! Also with me startin in January, when should I apply for childcare grant and student finance etc. What help can I get financially with having two kids I am a single parent.
Hi,
I've applied for graduate entry medicine and radiography as an insurance choice (have a firm offer for radiog). Obviously I already have a degree. I also have 2 children, and am a single parent. Is funding available for these courses? Currently resident in Wales as I think that is relevant, but some of the courses are in England/Scotland. I've tried using the online calculator which says there is funding but other places say you can't get funding if you already have a degree (also already have a student loan from a long time ago- now repaying it to Erudio but presumably that would be deferred whilst studying again)- clarification would be welcome!
Reply 7
I have a partner and a 1 year old, when getting help with childcare costs what is the income level when the help would stop? Thanks
Reply 8
I have a dependant mother who needs constant care - is there any support for this?
Reply 9
Original post by Student Money Week 2018
Got a question about what help you can get if you’re a student with children or adult dependants? Our experts are here to help.

Emma has been with Student Finance for over nine years and is one of our Grants for Dependants Senior Assessors, specialising in the Adult Dependants Grant, Parents Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant.

Please be aware all answers will be posted on Monday 12 February.

I am a mature student starting in the univetsity in September 2018, I am a single mother with two young children 2 and 7 years old. One in the nursery and the other in school but will go to after school club. I am now part time working 17 hrs a week but will go bank working 16 hours or less in September. I would like to know what help I will be entitled to when starting Uni in September.
Original post by Laura peeling
I am going to be doing a nurse course in September and have two kids which I will need to put in before and after school club, could I get any money towards the cost. I don't work, my husband does but we can't afford the child care cost, as only have one wage coming in.


Hi Laura
Thanks for your post.
Yes, if you are studying full time and have dependent children aged under 14 at the start of your academic year (September 2018 in your case), you may be eligible to claim the Childcare Grant from SFE.
Your childcare provider must be registered with a recognised body such as OFSTED.
All applications are assessed on an individual basis.
You can download your 2018/19 Childcare Grant Application form using the link below which also has more information relating to the Childcare Grant.
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Hope the above helps.

Best of luck with your studies

Emma:smile:
Original post by jroly81
I'm a single Mummy with 3 children. My elder two are fine but my youngest is only 2. He will receive his free 15 hours but what other help with I be able to get?
I'll be doing full time course.


Hello
Thanks for your post.
As a Lone Parent, studying a full time Undergraduate course in the 2018/19 AY, you maybe eligible to apply for the Parents Learning Allowance, and Childcare Grant (to cover any additional hours over your 15 hours free childcare).
Your childcare provider must be registered with an approved body such as OFSTED,
In addition to your Tuition Fees, you may be eligible to apply for a Maintenance Loan. Both are subject to any previous study you may hold.
All applications are assessed on an individual basis.

Here's a link to our "Grants for Students with children or adult dependants 2018/19" video on You Tube which may provide you with some further information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Q6d-lQTJE

You can download a 2018/19 Childcare Grant Application form using the link below which also has more information relating to the Childcare Grant. https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Hope the above helps.

Emma :smile:
Original post by Barney1993
Hi,

I have a child who will be one when I start in September. I will be applying for the grant to support with childcare costs howver it asks for an estimated cost. I won’t know this as I do not know the hours will be in uni. How can I estimate ? Thank you


Hello Barney :smile:

Thanks for your post.
Do you know who your childcare provider will be? They will need to be registered with an approved body such as OFSTED etc.
Once you've decided on a childcare provider, you could ask what their charges are and provide a rough weekly estimate to begin with. Remember, this can be amended once you receive your Uni timetable by submitting a further Childcare Grant Application form (CCG1). I would suggest applying sooner rather than later to avoid any last minute delays.

Here's a link to the Childcare Grant Application form which will also provide you with further information which you may find helpful.

https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Good luck

Emma
Hi Emma. I'm a mature student on an Access course. I have a conditional offer to start a full time undergraduate course in Sept 2018, in Speech and Language Therapy. I have a one year old and my husband works full time (35k p/a) I have a childminder all set up who will be looking after my son for three days per week in September.

Do I sound as if I will be eligible for a childcare grant? Do I apply for this at the same time as I apply for my tuition fee and maintenance loan? Can you get both the parents learning allowance and the childcare grant or just one? Also, I have read that if you are doing a healthcare course you can get a £1000 grant for childcare costs. Is this as well as the childcare grant or instead of?

Thanks, Rachael



Original post by Student Money Week 2018
Got a question about what help you can get if you’re a student with children or adult dependants? Our experts are here to help.

Emma has been with Student Finance for over nine years and is one of our Grants for Dependants Senior Assessors, specialising in the Adult Dependants Grant, Parents Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant.

Please be aware all answers will be posted on Monday 12 February.
Original post by Kitkaboodle
I want to do a degree but its a 2 hour Drive each way, 3 x pw and moving or staying is not really an option due to my family life. Is there any funds available from SaaS or Perth uhi to help with travel expenses? I am in a fairly rural area and learning opportunities are so rare I feel I am at a disadvantage.


Hi Kitkaboodle :smile:

Thanks for taking the time to post.

That's some drive!

I'd suggest speaking directly to both Perth Uni and SAAS directly.
I've included a link to the SAAS contact us page which hopefully will help.
http://www.saas.gov.uk/contact.htm

Good luck

Emma
Original post by VickyD1
Hi I'm a single parent with two kids (aged 1 &5) i start a children's nursing course in January. I am currently on universal credit and studying an access course, I was told if you get student loans then they deduct this cost from ur universal credit payments ! Is this true, because if it is I don't think it's entirely fair seen as we have to pay the loan back? I was going to use it towards a car as mine as packing in. Yet if it's the case of it being deducted from UC payments then I can because I use that money to survive! Also with me startin in January, when should I apply for childcare grant and student finance etc. What help can I get financially with having two kids I am a single parent.


Hi Vicky

Many thanks for your post :smile:

I'm assuming your course starts Jan 2019 and you will be studying full time?

I would apply at your earliest opportunity to ensure you have support in place and avoid and last minute delays.

As a Lone Parent, you maybe eligible to Tuition Fees, Maintenance Loan, Parents Learning Allowance and the Childcare Grant.

To receive the Childcare Grant, you must be using a childcare provider who is registered with an approved body such as OFSTED. Your provider should be able to show you a copy of their registration certificate confirming this.

I am unsure how support awarded from Student Finance will affect your Universal Credits. I would suggest speaking to HMRC directly regarding this to ensure you receive the correct info.

All applications are assessed on an individual basis.

You can download your 2018/19 Childcare Grant Application form using the link below which also has more information relating to the Childcare Grant. https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/how-to-claim

Why not take a look at our short film(s) on You Tube regarding Student Finance and support available to students with children?

Here's a couple of links - enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Q6d-lQTJE

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

Hope the above helps.

Emma
Original post by Student Money Week 2018
Got a question about what help you can get if you’re a student with children or adult dependants? Our experts are here to help.

Emma has been with Student Finance for over nine years and is one of our Grants for Dependants Senior Assessors, specialising in the Adult Dependants Grant, Parents Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant.

Please be aware all answers will be posted on Monday 12 February.


Hi Guys

Unfortunately, I've run out of time this evening, but rest assured I will be back tomorrow morning from 8.30am to answer the remainder of your questions.
Appreciate your patience and understanding.

Emma
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by ScienceMa
Hi,
I've applied for graduate entry medicine and radiography as an insurance choice (have a firm offer for radiog). Obviously I already have a degree. I also have 2 children, and am a single parent. Is funding available for these courses? Currently resident in Wales as I think that is relevant, but some of the courses are in England/Scotland. I've tried using the online calculator which says there is funding but other places say you can't get funding if you already have a degree (also already have a student loan from a long time ago- now repaying it to Erudio but presumably that would be deferred whilst studying again)- clarification would be welcome!


Morning ScienceMa :smile:

Sorry I wasn't able to respond to your post last night.

As you live in Wales, you would be best speaking to Student Finance Wales directly to see what support is available to you from them.

Here's a link to their contact details:
https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/contact.aspx#.WoKR5dKLS70

Hope the above helps

Best of luck

Emma
Original post by Pdotlz
I have a dependant mother who needs constant care - is there any support for this?


Hello Pdotlz

Thanks for your post.

Unfortunately, I ran out of time yesterday evening :frown:

You maybe eligible to apply for the Adult Dependants Grant.

Take a look at the following link which will tell you more about this grant:
https://www.gov.uk/adult-dependants-grant

There's also a short film which you may want to watch too. It'll explain the extra help available to student's studying full time with children or adult dependants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Q6d-lQTJE

Hopefully these will help.

Emma :smile:
Original post by kateespx
I have a partner and a 1 year old, when getting help with childcare costs what is the income level when the help would stop? Thanks


Hello Kateespx :smile:

Thanks for your post.

I would suggest that you submit your student finance application asap, to ensure you have your support in place before the start of your academic year.

Once completed, you will receive a Notification of Entitlement letter which will show the support available to you.

Should you choose not to take up the offer, your student finance can be cancelled at any time by giving us a call.

Additional support available includes: Parents Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants Grant and Childcare Grant.

Take a look at our short film for students with children and adult dependants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Q6d-lQTJE

Further information on the support available is shown via the link(s)
below:

https://www.gov.uk/adult-dependants-grant
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant
https://www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance

Hope the above helps.

Emma