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Grants for students with dependants or a disability
*The rates given below are for 2011 entry, the system and grant rates will change for new students entering in Oct 2012. Please see 'funding from 2012' on the menu.
Student with dependants / disability
Higher Educations Maintenance Grant (HEMG) / Special Support Grant (SSG)
Parents Learning Allowance (PLA)
Higher Education Maintenance Grant (HEMG) /
Special Support Grant (SSG)
These figures are for illustration purposes only, you should apply to your relevant assessment authority (e.g. SLC) for a full assessment.
Approx Household Residual Income |
Assessed Contribution |
HEMG (Not repayable) |
Student (Living Cost) Maintenance Loan(*) (Repayable) |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Below £25,000 |
0 |
2,906 |
3,497 |
6,403 |
£30,000 |
0 |
1,906 |
3,997 |
5,903 |
£34,000 |
0 |
1,106 |
4,397 |
5,503 |
£40,000 |
0 |
711 |
4,595 |
5,306 |
£45,000 |
0 |
381 |
4,760 |
5,141 |
£50,020 |
0 |
50 |
4,925 |
4,975 |
50,778 |
0 |
0 |
4,950 |
4,950 |
55,000 |
844 |
0 |
4,106 |
4,950 |
57,708 |
1,386 |
0 |
3,564(+) |
4,950 |
60,000 |
1,386 |
0 |
3,564 |
4,950 |
Where relevant household income is £50,020 the minimum maintenance grant is £50. Where income exceeds £50,020 there is no grant due. For income exceeding £50,778 the loan is reduced by £1 for every complete £5 by which the income
exceeds £50,778 up to the point where it reaches 72% of the maximum amount of the maintenance loan
(indicated at (+) in the table above).
Any HEMG awarded to a student in receipt of state benefits will be termed 'Special Support Grant (SSG) and will not be counted as income for benefit purposes. Students receiving the SSG will not lose any student loan borrowing entitlement.
The award is paid in three instalments by the SLC, with your loan. It is non-repayable.
Parents Learning Allowance (PLA)
This award is a means tested grant for full time students with dependant children who receive the childcare grant or who have a low income
The maximum amount of Parents Learning Allowance payable in 2011/12 will be
£1,508 and the minimum £50.
The award is paid in three instalments by the SLC, with your loan. It is non-repayable.
Childcare Grant (CG)
For full-time students with dependent children in registered or approved childcare.
How much help you get is based on your actual childcare costs and will depend on your income and that of your dependants. This funding will not be counted as income by the Department for Work and Pensions for students who are eligible for state benefits.
The amount of childcare grant payable will be based on 85% of actual childcare costs, subject to a maximum grant of £148.75 per week for one child only or £255 per week for two or more children.
Adult Dependants Grant (ADG)
If you have a husband , wife, or partner or another adult member of your family who depends on you financially, you may be eligible.
How much you get depends on your income and that of your adult dependant. Where applicable, the maximum grant in 2010/11 and 2011/12 in respect of a partner will be £2,642.
“Partner” is currently defined in regulation 42(1) of the Student Support (No. 2) Regulations 2008. A student’s spouse or civil partner would fall within the definition. In certain cases, a person living with the student as if he were the student’s spouse or civil partner will also be covered. Where the student does not have a partner within the meaning of the Regulations, a student may be eligible for this grant in respect of one adult dependant whose net income does not exceed £3,796.
The award is paid in three instalments by the SLC, with your loan. It is non-repayable.
Tax Credits (TC)
There are two main types of tax credits available to students, these are the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
The Working Tax Credit also has a 'childcare element' (see below) which can help towards the cost of childcare. Undergraduate students are normally better off claiming the Childcare Grant through SFE/SFNI/SFW/SAAS please see student grants from the menu. As there is no equivalent grant for postgraduate study these students may be able to claim the childcare element of the WTC.
Child Tax Credit
Students are eligible to claim Child Tax Credits which, for the first time, will be paid to parents regardless of whether or not they are working or studying. All student parents with household incomes below £58,000 will be eligible for support through tax credits. From 6 April 2011 this will be reduced to £41,000. Children must be under 16 or 16,17,18 if in full time education. You will qualify for the Child Tax Credit at the higher rate if you child or one of your children is under one year old or is disabled. From April 2011 there will be no higher rate for children under 1 year.
The amount you may get will depend on your circumstances. If your income falls below the minimum level in 2010-11 you will receive a family element of £545 and £2,300 per child. From April 2011 you will receive £545 family element and £2555.00 per child. It will be paid into your bank account direct from the Inland Revenue every week or every four weeks.
The School Meals Grant will be replaced by 'passported' free school meals. Those receiving the maximum amount of of Child Tax Credit should apply to their LEA for the school meals grant and supply a copy of their tax credit award letter.
Please be aware that if you are a lone parent the increase in your income that may result from receiving Child Tax Credits, particularly over the summer, can impact on your eligibility to Income Support and/or full Housing Benefit. For advice ring the above helpline or the Benefits Agency Freeline 0800 666 555.
Working Tax Credit (WTC).
This is paid to working people on a low income, with or without children. If you don't have children the following must apply:-
*aged 25 or over and work 30 hours or more a week
*if you have a disability and are 16 or over, you need to do paid work of at least 16 hours.
*if you have children you need to aged 16 or over and to do paid work of at least 16 hours.
Childcare Element of WTC
This can offer help towards registered childcare provider costs. To qualify for the childcare element of the WTC a lone parent must work at least 16 hours per week and for couples, both members must work at least 16 hours per week, unless one of you is unable to work because of incapacity. Single postgraduate student parents who are working 16 hours or more or those with a partners also working the minimum hours may wish to claim.
Further information for all students
For help and advise about the changes and how they may affect you ring the Tax Credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 or see:
https://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx
Disabled Students Allowance
For information please click here
