Financial help for students after the birth of your baby
from the government and from your university
For benefits whilst you are still pregnant, click benefits in a nutshell below
Parent's Learning Allowance
This is help from the government and is on top of your Student Finance entitlement.
It does not have to be paid back to the government.
It will not affect any other benefits you might be in receipt of.
How much you will get
It is paid direct to your bank account in 3 installments, one at the start of each term.
You will be eligible if:
♦ You’re a student in England.
♦ You have dependent children.
♦ You’re taking a full-time undergraduate course or an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course.
♦ Your household income is less than £18,835.98 a year.
You do not need to be paying for childcare to be eligible.
Childcare Grant
If you’re in full-time student education and receiving Student Finance and you have dependent children in registered and approved childcare, you might be able to get a Childcare Grant. The amount is based on actual childcare costs.
The grant does not have to be paid back.
The grant is paid on top of your other student finance.
The amount of Childcare Grant you will receive
This depends on your household income and the number of dependent children you have.
You can receive 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less.
The maximum you can get for 2024/2025 academic year is:
Up to £193.62 a week for 1 child.
Up to £331.95 a week for 2 or more children.
So for every £100 cost of childcare you will get £85 towards it.
Who qualifies
♦ You are a full-time student.
♦ Your child must be under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs.
♦ You are in receipt of undergraduate student finance based on your household income (or are eligible for this).
♦ You are not in receipt of a Postgraduate Loan.
♦ You reside in England permanently.
♦ Your household income is no more than £19,795.23 – if applying for 1 child.
♦ Your household income is no more than £28,379.39 – if applying for 2 or more children.
♦ You must not be claiming Tax-Free Childcare, or claiming the childcare element of working Tax Credit or Universal Credit.
♦ You or your partner are not in receipt of NHS childcare costs.
♦ Your childcare provider must be registered with the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register.
♦ The children in your grant application are financially dependent on you.
Your childcare provider cannot be a relative (if cared for at home) and must be registered with an appropriate body.
You cannot use the Childcare Grant to pay for the 15 or 30 hours free childcare. These two payments are different. .
→ You receive an email telling you how to set up a Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS).
→ Your childcare provider requests payment to the CCGPS.
→ You approve it through your CCGPS account each week.
→ Your childcare provider will be paid directly from the money in your CCGPS account.
→ You will be able to approve the payments once your course has started.
If any money is left over at the end of the academic year, it will be returned to Student Finance England.
Universal Credit whilst you are a student
However, you may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of the following apply:
♦ You’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education and do not have parental support.
♦ You’re responsible for a child.
♦ You live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit.
♦ You’ve reached the qualifying age for Pension Credit and live with a partner who is under that age.
♦ You’ve received a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit.
♦ You’re disabled, were assessed as having limited capability for work before starting your course and are getting:
– Personal Independence Payment.
– Disability Living Allowance.
– Attendance Allowance.
– Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Check out YOUR university for financial and other support for pregnant students AND after your baby is born
Check your university here then contact Student Support or Student Finance