Childcare Grant

Overview

Full-time higher education students with children can apply for a Childcare Grant of:

• up to £148.75 a week for 1 child
• up to £255 for 2 or more children

The grant helps with childcare costs for children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Childcare Grant 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’re a permanent resident in England
• the children listed in the grant application is 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 can’t be a relative and must be registered with an appropriate body – check with Student Finance England

Who can’t apply

You can’t apply for a Childcare Grant if:

• you’re a part-time student
• you or your partner are claiming the childcare element of Working Tax Credits
• your child is covered by the free care that all 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to (15 hours a week)
• your child is cared for by a relative or your partner mainly in the child’s home (even if the relative or partner are registered child minders)

What You Could Get

You can get up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to the maximum amount of £148.75 a week for 1 child, or £255 for 2 or more children.

The amount you’ll get depends on:

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

Any money you get is paid on top of your student finance and you don’t have to pay it back.

How you’re paid

The money is paid in 3 instalments over each term directly into your bank account.

How to Claim

To apply for a Childcare Grant follow these steps:

1. As part of your main student finance applicationtick the box when asked if you want the Childcare Grant.
2. Send Student Finance England an estimate of your childcare costs – use form CCG1 (below).
3. You might be asked to send more information, eg your child’s original birth certificate or photocopies of P60s, bank statements or your Child Benefit or tax credits details.
4. You’ll be sent a letter telling you how much Childcare Grant you’ll get.
5. At the end of each term you and your childcare provider must confirm your actual childcare costs – use form CCG2 (below).
6. If the actual childcare costs are higher or lower than your estimated costs, your next payment will be adjusted.

CCG1 form

Make sure you’ve completed your main student finance application before sending form CCG1.

Academic year	CCG1 form
2012 to 2013	CCG1, estimate childcare (PDF, 170KB)
2011 to 2012	CCG1, estimate childcare (PDF, 174KB)

CCG2 form

Use the CCG2 form for the academic year the costs relate to.

Academic year	CCG2 form
2012 to 2013	CCG2, confirm childcare costs (PDF, 150KB)
2011 to 2012	CCG2, confirm childcare costs (PDF, 150KB)

Where to send your form