• What are the Grants for Dependants?
• How much will I be entitled to?
• How will the grants be paid?
• How do I apply for the grants?

This webpage contains information for students who are ordinarily resident in England. If you usually live outside of England, please visit our Funding Your Studies- Students Ordinarily Resident Outside of England webpage.

What are the Grants for Dependants?

All money provided as part of the Grants for Dependants are in the form of a grant. This means they are not repayable.

Parents' Learning Allowance(PLA)

Parents’ Learning Allowance of up to £1,915 (2023-24 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. For more information regarding eligibility please see the gov.uk Parents Learning AllowanceLink opens in a new window webpage.

Childcare Grant(CCG)

You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if your child is under 15 (or under 17 if they have special educational needs) and you meet all of the CCG eligibility criteria. The Childcare Grant may be available to pay for up to 85% of the actual cost of registered or approved childcare. You will not be eligible for the Childcare Grant if you or your partner receive:

- the childcare element of Working Tax Credit
- the childcare element of Universal Credit
- tax-free childcare
- childcare through the NHS bursary scheme.

The maximum weekly amount that can be claimed is £188.90 (2023-24 subject to Parliamentary approval) per week for one dependent child or £323.85(2023-24 subject to Parliamentary approval) per week for two or more dependent children or 85% of the costs, whichever is lower. For more information regarding eligibility and exclusions, please see the gov.uk Childcare GrantLink opens in a new window webpage.

Adult Dependants' Grant(ADG)

An Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to £3,354 (2023-24 subject to Parliamentary approval) per year is available to students who are financially responsible for another adult and who meet all of the eligibility criteria in full. This adult dependant may be your spouse (or partner if you aged 25 or over) or another adult dependant. The adult dependant cannot be your child. If your adult dependant is not your spouse/partner then their net income cannot exceed £3,796 in order to be eligible for this grant. Adult Dependants’ Grant will affect any income-related benefits and tax credits you might get. For more information including eligibility and exclusions, please see the gov.uk Adult Dependants' GrantLink opens in a new window webpage.

How much will I be entitled to?

Your entitlement to each grant is worked out using your household income. A separate calculation is performed for each of the grants.

How will the grants be paid?

Parents Learning Allowance (PLA) and Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG)

The Parents Learning Allowance and Adult Dependants’ Grant are paid in 3 termly instalments directly to you, the student.

Childcare Grant (CCG)

If you are entitled to the Childcare Grant the amount you are eligible for will be paid into a Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account. This money will not be paid directly to you the student. Your childcare provider will then invoice the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) at intervals. This could be on a weekly, monthly or termly basis, however, it will always be in arrears. You will need to arrange with your childcare provider as to how you will pay the remaining amount (at least 15%). Each time your childcare provider requests payment from the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) you will need to log in to your CCGPS account to approve the payment. Following this, your childcare provider will be paid directly from the money in your account. Any money that remains at the end of the year will be returned to Student Finance. This will mean that there will no longer be any overpayments or underpayments for childcare, unless you withdraw or temporarily withdraw from your studies. You will be able to log in to your CCGPS account at any point to see what your remaining balance is.

How do I apply for the grants?

You will be able to apply for all 3 types of grants in your main Student Finance application. If you are applying for the Childcare Grant you will need to create an account with the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS). Student Finance will contact you regarding this.

Childcare Grant (CCG) and Parents' Learning Allowance (PLA) - New Students

If you have not previously provided evidence to support an application for Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance, you will need to supply this to Student Finance England. For example, you will need to provide a photocopy of your child’s/children’s birth certificates and evidence that you have care of the child, such as, photocopied evidence that you are receiving Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit or the child element of Universal Credit.

Childcare Grant (CCG) - Continuing Students

If you have previously received Childcare Grant, you will no longer be required to complete a CCG1 form or CCG2 form. However, Student Finance will continue to send you the CCG2 form for you to confirm your actual childcare costs for the rest of the academic year.

Adult Dependants' Grant (ADG)

If you apply for Adult Dependant’s Grant it is likely that you will need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate (if you have not done so before and your adult dependant is your spouse). Otherwise you may need to provide evidence of your adult dependant’s taxable income for the previous tax year.