Students with dependants
If you are a full time UK undergraduate and PGCE student and have children or an adult that depends on you financially you could be eligible to receive additional non-repayable grants. To find out more take a look at the detailed guide (PDF:580KB).
Parents’ Learning Allowance
Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA) is intended to help you cover course-related costs. The amount of PLA you will receive will depend upon your household income. The maximum PLA available is £1,508 a year.
Childcare Grant
If you have children under 15 at the beginning of the academic year (or under 17 if they have special educational) and you use registered or approved childcare you could be eligible to receive a Childcare Grant (CG). The amount of CG you could receive will depend on the level of your household income. The maximum Childcare Grant available is:
- One child in childcare: 85% of actual cost up to a maximum cost of £148.75 per week.
- Two children or more in childcare: 85% of actual cost up to a maximum cost of £255 per week.
Access to Learning Fund
Full time undergraduate students could be eligible to receive help from the Access to Learning Fund to help with childcare costs if they are using a registered childcare provider. Students must have applied for the statutory Childcare Grant and only 15% of costs up to a capped amount can be considered. Full time undergraduate students do not have to be experiencing financial difficulties to be eligible to receive help towards childcare costs.
Adult Dependants’ Grant
If you have an adult that depends on you financially you could be eligible to receive Adult Dependants Grant (ADG). The amount of ADG you will receive will depend upon your household income. The maximum ADG available is £2,462 a year.
Free Early Education
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. From September 2013 some 2-year-olds will also be eligible. There are a number of different types of early education providers that can offer the free entitlement such as day nurseries, private nursery schools, preschools and playgroups, accredited childminders and Sure Start Children's Centre’s. Although there's no guarantee of getting a place with a particular provider, your Local Authority should take your preference into account wherever possible. There’s no voucher or grant involved- just check with your local Family Information Service (FIS) that the provider is registered to offer the entitlement.
Free School Meals
Children are entitled to free school meals if their families receive certain benefits and tax credits.
Childcare Provision and Advice
The University does not have its own childcare facilities but the Students’ Union run a Baby Equipment Service for Students. Family days are also run by the Students' Union.
If you want to find out more about registered and approved childcare available in Newcastle see Newcastle City Council's Families Information Service
For further information about children's activities, general parenting tips, family health and schooling take a look at our Childcare Resources section
Studentparents.org may help students who have children plan for university and find the right balance.
If your family circumstances change and you are going through a divorce or separation and you want information about the impact this could have on your financial situation you might find it useful to visit the Money Advice Service website.
