Dependants' Grants

The Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA) grant of up to £2,024 (2026-26 subject to Parliamentary approval) per year is available to students who have at least one dependent child and meet the PLA eligibility criteria in full. PLA is paid in three equal termly instalments directly to the student.

The PLA eligibility criteria include (not exhaustive):

• You are a full-time undergraduate or Initial Teacher Training (ITT) student.
• You have a household income below £18,957.98.

You can apply for PLA in the same online application as your Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan. If you have already applied for your loans, you can subsequently apply for PLA via a paper form found on the following webpage, Student Finance Application for Dependants' GrantsLink opens in a new window.

• You will need to provide evidence with your application including copies of your children's birth certificates and confirmation of Child Tax Credits and/or Child Benefits for each child.

PLA does not impact your benefits or tax credits.

For more information, including the full eligibility criteria, please see the gov.uk Parents Learning AllowanceLink opens in a new window webpage.

Childcare Grant(CCG)

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:

• • £20,107.23 ( if your application is for one child).
  • £28,914.47 (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 £199.62 (2026-27 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 £342.24 (2026-27 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.

Adult Dependants' Grant(ADG)

The Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG) of up to £3,545 (2026-27 subject to Parliamentary approval) per year is available to students who are financially responsible for another adult and who meet all of the ADG eligibility criteria in full. ADG is paid in three equal termly instalments directly to the student.

The ADG eligibility criteria include (not exhaustive):

• You are a full-time student.
• Your household income is £15,835.98 or under.
• Your adult dependant is not:
  • Your child.
  • Your partner if you are under 25 (unless you are married or in a civil partnership).
  • Earning over £3,796 per year.
  • Receiving student finance.

You can apply for ADG in the same online application as your Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan. If you have already applied for your loans, you can subsequently apply for ADG via a paper form found on the following webpage, Student Finance Application for Dependants' GrantsLink opens in a new window.

• You may need to provide evidence such as your partner's financial information.

If you receive ADG, this will have an impact on any income-related benefits and/or tax credits you receive. You are advised to seek guidance from your local Citizens Advice regarding this:

• Coventry Citizens AdviceLink opens in a new window
• South Warwickshire - Leamington Citizens AdviceLink opens in a new window
• South Warwickshire - Warwick Citizens AdviceLink opens in a new window

For more information, including full eligibility and exclusions, please see the gov.uk Adult Dependants' GrantLink opens in a new window webpage.