Financial help for pregnant students

The Equality Act 2010 introduced new protection from discrimination for students during pregnancy and maternity ensuring that there is financial help for pregnant students, and practical help and support.

Whichever university you are studying at or plan to is legally obligated to help you whilst you are at university AND if you are still at the application stage for a place.

Some universities have dedicated accomodation for families.See the links below for more information

HERE IS A LIST OF ALL UK UNIVERSITIES – find yours. It will provide financial help for pregnant students and afterwards.

Not just financial help but practical help, help with studies, extensions and creche.

https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/about/universities

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE HELP UNIVERSITIES LEGALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE TO HELP YOU. Click on the university of your choice to see what is on offer. However, ALL universities are legally obligated to help you whilst you are pregnant as a student and whilst you are in the process of application.

Manchester Metropolitan University

https://www.mmu.ac.uk/student-life/wellbeing/policies/student-pregnancy-guidelines

Oxford University

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/childcare

York University

https://www.york.ac.uk/about/equality/policy-guidance/policies/student-parents/guidance/

Sources of money now you are pregnant

Many sources of money are available for before and after the birth of your child.

The money will help you to continue or start studying and create a great future for yourself and your child/children.

Whether studying at: COLLEGE or UNIVERSITYyou may qualify for additional student finance to cover everything from living expenses and learning costs to travel and childcare grants.

Click below to see what grants and benefits are available for students who are pregnant

Open University will help and support you whilst pregnant and after the birth of your baby

Support is available if you are pregnant or have had a baby and are studying at college or university. You might qualify for additional student finance. This could cover everything from living expenses and learning costs to travel and childcare grants.

Firstly check out approved courses

Firstly, the type of courses that have been approved for student assistance are as follows:

Approved Courses:

♦ Full-time.
♦ More than an average of 12 hours a week supervised study or course-related work experience).

Can also include:
♦ A levels or similar, such as Pre-U or International Baccalaureate.
♦ T levels.
♦ NVQs and other vocational qualifications up to level 3.
♦ Home education – if it started before they turned 16 or after 16 if they have special needs.
♦ Traineeships in England.

Universities have a pregnancy policy to ensure students receive the support they need during pregnancy and after the birth of their child – before and whilst in the middle of studies.

It is unlawful for a university or college to discriminate against a student who is pregnant.

There is also government assistance to help you begin and continue with your studies.

You would have to check this out at your particular university but we have found a variety of support generally available which you can read below and throughout the website.

And check out your university and its pregnancy policy in terms of financial and practical support.

Courses are not approved if:

♦ They are paid for by an employer or ‘advanced’, for example a university degree or BTEC Higher National Certificate.

♦ Are courses that are part of a job contract.

Money available after you have had your baby

Financial help available for students before and after you have had your baby and include for example:

♦ Sure Start Maternity Grant.
♦ Parents Learning Allowance.
♦ Childcare Grant.
♦ Universal Credit. Has specific criteria.

Help is available on top of your student loan such as:

♦ Special Support Loan or Grant.
♦ Postgraduate Master’s Loan.
♦ Postgraduate Doctoral Loan.

Initial money to pay for university, Sure Start Maternity Grant and Maternity Allowance

Extra money to pay for university

Apply by:

Contacting the student services department at your university or college – they’ll decide if you qualify. Any money that you get from your university or college will not usually be counted as income when working out your entitlement to benefits or tax credits, unless it’s for day-to-day living costs. You could get extra money from your university or college if you’re experiencing financial hardship. You may be, for example:

♦ A student with children, especially single parents.
♦ A mature student with existing financial commitments.
♦ From a low-income family.
♦ Disabled.
♦ A student who was previously in care (a ‘care leaver’).
♦ Homeless or living in a foyer (transitional housing for youth).

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Usually, to qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant you must have no other children under 16. Additionally, yourself or your partner must also be in receipt of ONE of these benefits:

♦ Income Support.
♦ Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
♦ Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
♦ Pension Credit.
♦ Child Tax Credit.
♦ Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element.
♦ Universal Credit.
♦ You may also qualify if you’re getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
♦ There is more on eligibility in other circumstances such as you have children under 16 years of age.

The deadline for claiming is from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. The latest you can claim is 6 months after your baby is born.

There is also help for If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection or you’ve left Ukraine or Afghanistan OR if you’re claiming for a family member who lives with you.

Maternity Allowance (MA)

Maternity Allowance is a payment you can get when you take time off to have a baby.

If you are not entitled to this allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay, you can apply for the New-Style Employment and Support Allowance (NSESA).

This is a bit more complex because as a student you are unlikely to have been in work. However, your particular circumstances may include the following.

You have been employed or self employed for at least 26 weeks out of 66 week period running up to and including the week before the baby is due, and you have earned at least £30.00 a week for any of those 13 weeks.

You could get it if you:

♦ Are employed but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).
♦ Are self-employed.
♦ Have recently stopped working.
♦ Take part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner.
You can get Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks.
You can claim Maternity Allowance as soon as you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start up to 11 weeks before your baby is due.