Details below are for students who normally live in England. Students who normally live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland should check their funding with the relevant body. (See related links)
Childcare Grant
What do I need to do?
- Apply for Childcare Grant (CCG) funding alongside your main student finance application. Provide information about your children on the form but do not provide information about the childcare provider.
- You no longer need to send in estimates of your childcare costs, but your household income will be used to work out how much CCG you can receive.
- SFE will assess your application for the grant. If successful you will be asked to register and create an account with the Childcare Grant Payment System (CCGPS) which will be used to pay funds direct to your childcare provider.
- CCGPS will display your Childcare Grant award for the relevant academic year.
- The childcare provider will request payment on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis for childcare costs already provided (actual amounts) via CCGPS.
- You will be contacted each time the provider sends a request for payment.You MUST review and approve the actual childcare costs before they are released.
- Payment is then made to the childcare provider and taken from your Childcare Grant balance.
How much is the Childcare Grant?
The grant is means tested on your household income and can be up to 85% or your actual childcare costs, with a cap of £188.90 per week for one child or £323.85 per week for two or more children in 2023/24.
This will increase in 2024/25 to £192.62 per week for one child or £331.95 per week for two or more children.
Income thresholds for Childcare Grant 2023/24
| | 1 child | 2 or more children |
|---|
| Household income must be this or below to receive maximum grant |
£9,727 |
£11,118 |
| Household income threshold to receive minimum grant |
£19,549.79 |
£27,958.19 |
If you or your partner receive the childcare element of working tax credits/universal credit you will not be eligible for the Childcare Grant from SFE.
Adult Dependants Grant
The Adult Dependants Grant of up to £3,354 in 2023/24 will still be paid in three instalments over the academic year. This grant is for when you have an adult who is financially dependent on you. The dependant adult must have a net income of under £3,796 per year to qualify.
The grant will incease in 2024/25 up to £3,438
Income threshold for the Adult Dependant Grant*
| Household income must be this or below to receive maximum grant |
£8,746 |
| Household income threshold to receive minimum grant |
£15,453.98 |
Parents' Learning Allowance
The Parents' Learning Allowance (PLA) is a means tested grant of up to £1,915 in 2023/24 if you have one or more dependent children, regardless of the age of the children. You do not have to receive the Childcare Grant to be eligible.
The allowance will increase in 2024/25 up to £1,963.
The PLA is to help cover some of the additional costs incurred by students with dependent children; eg higher travel costs, books and equipment, and is paid in three instalments alongside with other maintenance support.
Income threshold for the Parent's Learning Allowance*
| Household income must be this or below to receive maximum grant |
£14,910 |
| Household income threshold to receive minimum grant |
£18,739.98 |