You may be able to get help with your childcare costs while in learning, depending on the type of course and your circumstances. Before starting a course check with the tutor, student services or college’s advice and guidance department to see what financial help you are entitled to.
* This table is a guide only. Always check with the funding provider to see exactly what support you can get.
Care to Learn
If you’re under 20 when your course starts and you have children, you may be able to get funding towards registered childcare and related travel costs. Find out more by visiting the Care to Learn section of Directgov or calling the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989.
Sixth Form Childcare Scheme
If you are 20 or over, have children under the age of 15 (or 16 if they have a disability) and are attending a sixth form college, you can apply for help with childcare costs through this scheme. You should check with the college directly to see if you are eligible.
You can find more details on the Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme section of Directgov.
Discretionary Support Funds
You can apply directly to your college’s Student Support department or welfare officer for this type of funding, which can be used to pay for registered childcare. If you’re aged between 16 and 19, the college may decide that the Care to Learn option above might be more suitable for you, depending on your circumstances. See the Discretionary Support Funds section of Directgov for more information.
Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work
If you’re not working and aged 20 or over, and are looking to train in skills which could lead to employment, you may be eligible for free registered childcare. If you have children aged 14 or under (or up to 18 if they have a disability), you may be able to apply. Contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or see the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work section of the Directgov website for more details.
New Deal for Lone Parents (known as Flexible New Deal in some areas)
If you're a lone parent whose youngest child is under 16, and are either not working or are working fewer than 16 hours a week, you can get help under the New Deal for Lone Parents. You'll get a Personal Adviser, who’ll explain what funding you're entitled to towards course fees, travel, and childcare. Drop into your local Jobcentre Plus to find out more.
Child Tax Credit
How much Child Tax Credit you qualify for depends on your circumstances and your income. You may be able to claim it while learning although you will need to be working at least 16 hours a week. Call the Tax Credits Helpdesk on 0845 300 3900 or visit the HM Revenue and Customs website to see if you’re eligible.
Educational trusts and charities
Many of these organisations can help with childcare costs. They will assess your situation before making a decision, so check your eligibility before applying. There are a lot of them and you can find them listed in the Educational Grants Directory, The Grants Register, The Charities Digest or the Directory of Grant Making Trusts. Any main library in your area should have copies of these.
You can also visit the Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) website, where you can search for trusts and charities online. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can write to EGAS for a list although it may take up to six weeks to receive a reply.
Childcare Grant
You can claim this grant for registered childcare if you’re a full-time student in higher education, with children under 15. You can qualify for up to 85 percent of childcare costs throughout the year, not just during term time. How much you’re able to get depends on the cost of your childcare, your income and any income your dependants earn. It is a grant so you don't have to pay it back. You apply for the Childcare Grant through Student Finance England.
Bursaries
If you’re in full-time higher education, you may be able to apply for financial help through the university or college bursary scheme. A bursary is extra money on top of the student loans you are receiving. It does not have to be repaid. The amount you can apply for will depend on your circumstances.
To apply, contact your Student Support department or visit Student Finance England. To find out more about bursaries and how they work, check out the Bursaries section of the Directgov website.
NHS Childcare Allowance
You can apply for help towards your childcare costs from the NHS Childcare Allowance. You could be eligible if you:
- are an existing or new NHS Bursary funded student
- have dependent children aged 15 or under, or 17 and under for children with disabilities or special educational needs
- use registered childcare.
The amount you receive depends on your circumstances. For more information call the NHS Students Helpline on 0845 358 6655 or visit the NHS Childcare Allowance section of the NHS Bursaries website.
Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL)
If you’re over 18 and planning to do a course to help with your career you can use a PCDL to pay for childcare. You pay the loan back after you complete the course. You can get more information if you call 0800 585 505 or visit the Professional and Career Development Loan section on Directgov.
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