You may be eligible for up to 85% of the actual cost of childcare from the Childcare Grant (CCG). Your child must be under 15 (or under 17 if they have special educational needs) and you must meet all of the CCG eligibility criteria.
The CCG eligibility criteria include (not exhaustive):
- You are a full-time undergraduate.
- Your household income is below:
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- £19,795.23 ( if your application is for one child).
- £28,379.39 (if your application is for more than one child).
- Your childcare is provided by an Ofsted Early Years Registered facility or General Childcare Registered facility.
You will not be eligible for the CCG if you receive help towards your childcare from other sources, for example, Tax-free Childcare, Childcare Element of either Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit or NHS Childcare assistance.
- The maximum weekly amount that can be claimed per week for one dependent child is £193.62 (2024-25 subject to Parliamentary approval) or 85% of the costs, whichever is lower.
- The maximum weekly amount that can be claimed per week for two or more dependent children is £331.95 (2024-25 subject to Parliamentary approval) or 85% of the costs, whichever is lower.
You can apply for the CCG in the same online application as your Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan. If you have already applied for your loans, or if you want to apply for more than one child, you need to apply for CCG via a paper form found on the following webpage, Student Finance Application for Dependants' Grants.Link opens in a new window
Income-related, unemployment and housing benefits are not impacted by CCG.
For more information, including full eligibility and exclusions, and the CCG application process please see the gov.uk Childcare GrantLink opens in a new window webpage.