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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Financial help for parents in education

If you are a student with children, or a parent who wishes to go back into education, there is plenty of financial help available. Find out here what you might qualify for.

Financial help for young parents

Help with childcare costs: Care to Learn

If you are under 20, the Care to Learn scheme can pay up to £160 per child per week (£175 in London) for your childcare and associated travel costs while you're in education.

You can claim Care to Learn funding if you are under 20 and you:

  • start a course of learning or training in a school, college or as a trainee with a work based learning provider that receives some public funding
  • care for your own child (fathers are also eligible if they are the main carer)
  • live in England
  • use a childcare provider registered with Ofsted

Follow the link below to find out more about Care to Learn.

EMA and other types of financial help for young people

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, depending on your household income. EMA is now closed to new applicants.

You may also be able to get help with the costs of transport to college or sixth form. There's extra support available if you're studying away from home or having trouble meeting the costs of your course.

Click on the 'Money to learn' link below for more details. You'll also find information on Dance and Drama Awards - national scholarships for the most talented dance and drama students.

For more information on your options and to discuss what's best for you, you can also chat to a Careers Adviser:

  • Careers advice: 0800 100 900 (freephone)

Financial help for adult learners

Help with childcare costs

If you're aged 20 or over and doing a course at college or sixth form, you may be able to get help with childcare costs. Follow the link below to find out more.

Other help for adult learners

Other types of financial help open to learners over 18 include the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) and Professional and Career Development Loans. See 'Help with the costs of learning' for more details.

For advice on all your learning options and to find out more about financial help, visit the National Careers Service website. You can also phone an adviser on 0800 100 900 (freephone) or arrange a face-to-face meeting with an adviser.

Help with university or higher education costs

Childcare Grant and Parents Learning Allowance

If you're a full-time student with children, you may be able to get extra help through the Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance or tax credits. Full-time students with adult dependants may be entitled to extra help from the Adult Dependants' Grant.

Student loans, grants and other types of help

Extra help for students with children is paid on top of the student loans, grants and bursaries potentially available to all full-time students.

For an overview of financial support for students in higher education, follow the links below.

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