Childcare Grant | GOV.UK

What is a Childcare Grant?

You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if you:

  • are a full-time higher education student
  • have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs

The grant:

  • does not have to be paid back
  • is paid on top of your other student finance

You must be eligible for student finance to apply for a Childcare Grant.

What you'll get

The amount you’ll get depends on:

  • your household income
  • the number of children who are dependent on you

2020 to 2021 academic year

You can get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less:

  • up to £174.22 a week for 1 child
  • up to £298.69 a week for 2 or more children

You have to pay for any remaining costs.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for a Childcare Grant all the following must apply:

  • you’re a full-time student
  • your child must be under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs
  • you get undergraduate student finance based on your household income, or are eligible to
  • you’re not getting a Postgraduate Loan
  • you’re a permanent resident in England
  • the children in your grant application are financially dependent on you
  • your childcare provider is on the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register - check with your provider
  • if your child is cared for at home, the carer cannot be a relative and must be registered with an appropriate body - check with Student Finance England
  • neither you or your partner are claiming Tax-Free Childcare, the childcare element of working Tax Credit or Universal Credit
  • neither you or your partner receive help with childcare costs from the National Health Service (NHS)

Childcare Grant isn’t the same as 15 or 30 hours free childcare. You can’t use it to pay for those hours.

Who to contact

Website
https://www.gov.uk
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