Childcare Office

Financial Information

Finance is an increasing problem for students but particularly for those with dependants, and meeting the costs of bringing up children is often very difficult when you're a full-time student with no income. This section contains information about the different sources of financial help available and how you go about claiming/applying for it.

For general information on funding studies for all students, see the University's Funding for Students pages.

Also see the sections on The Central Childcare Bursary Scheme (for overseas and EU students only) and the Access to Learning Fund (home students only). There is Government funding available for childcare places for all 3 and 4 year olds. See Early Years Funding Scheme.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits

See Entitled To for an online calculator to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits.

Students with children may be able to claim some benefits and tax credits. If you have a partner who is not a student and who is eligible for any of the income-related benefits, your partner may claim on behalf of both of you. Please note that your partner's income will be taken into account when assessing your entitlement to means-tested benefits.

Students from the EU often have similar rules of eligibility as home (UK) students. For overseas students from non-EU countries, any benefit or tax credit claim may be regarded as ‘recourse to public funds’ and could jeopardise your visa status. Generally, if your visa is stamped ‘no recourse to public funds’ then you are not advised to make any applications for benefits or tax credits. For further visa advice, you can contact the University's International Office who can advise overseas students and their partners who are hoping to work in this country. The UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) website produces useful guidance notes for international students, including information on welfare benefits. You could also try the Cambridge Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Please note that the information below is general. If you think you may be eligible for any of the following benefits, visit the Directgov webpages. Paying for Childcare has a dedicated section for studying parents. Also try the Cambridge Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Income Support

Income Support is generally for UK residents under 60 who are on a low income. Any savings can affect how much you can claim. Most full-time students are not eligible for Income Support for the duration of their course, including vacations. However, exceptions can be made for lone parents, including lone foster parents.

Jobseekers' Allowance

Jobseekers' Allowance is designed to help support unemployed people who are actively seeking work, are capable of work and are available for work. You cannot usually get it if you are studying full-time. However, if you are one of a couple where both partners are both full-time students and one of you is responsible for a child, you may be able to claim Jobseekers' Allowance during the long vacation. You must be available for and actively seeking work.

If you are studying part-time and available for and seeking work for your spare hours, you may be able to make a claim. This will depend on the number of hours you study and your financial circumstances.

Child Benefit

A tax-free payment for people bringing up children. It is paid for each child and currently not affected by income or savings. However, from 2013 Child Benefit will be stopped for higher-rate taxpayers; i.e. an individual earning £43,875 and over. For advice, see the HM Revenue & Customs Child Benefit pages.

It is often difficult for students from overseas (non EU countries) to make a successful claim. The Child Benefit office states that each case is reviewed individually to determine whether you qualify. However, if your visa is stamped 'no recourse to public funds' then you should not make an application for Child Benefit.

For more advice on extra rules for claiming tax credits (see below) and Child Benefit for those who have arrived from abroad, see HM Revenue & Customs.

Child and Working Tax Credits

Tax credits are payments from the Government and are means-tested: the lower your income, the more tax credits you are entitled to. Couples must make a joint tax credit application.

Home graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply for Child Tax Credit even if they are not working. Child Tax Credit is intended to help with the general costs of raising children for those on lower wages. This includes students.

Students who work, or who have partners who work, may also be eligible for Working Tax Credit which is designed to top up the wages of those on a low income. If you have a dependent child or children, to claim Working Tax Credit you must be 16 years old or over and work 16 hours or more a week and receive a low wage. There is a childcare element to this tax credit, which can help with registered childcare costs. Your family cannot get the Childcare Grant if you claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, so full time undergraduate or PGCE students should make a choice which to claim.

See the HM Revenue & Customs Tax Credits webpages for information on how much you could get and how to make a claim.

EU and overseas students may be able to claim Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Each application from an overseas student will be reviewed individually to determine eligibility. Generally, if your visa is stamped ‘no recourse to public funds’ you should not make any applications for benefits or tax credits. If you are able to claim Child Benefit, you are likely to be eligible for tax credits. You should have a National Insurance (NI) number to complete the tax credits application form. If you don't have an NI number, see the Directgov website for more information about applying.

Housing Benefit, Local Housing Allowance and Council Tax Benefit

Housing Benefit, paid by local councils, helps with rental accommodation costs for those on a low income. Private tenants on a low income renting from a private landlord may be entitled to Local Housing Allowance. Savings will affect eligibility.

Students who are responsible for a child and renting privately or living in College or University-owned accommodation may be able to claim Housing Benefit. The Council states that students can claim ‘during their period of study’. This means that undergraduates can usually claim in term time only. Graduates who study year-round may be able to claim all year.

If you are a full time student, you will not normally have to pay council tax. However, if only your partner is a student, you may make a claim for Council Tax Benefit. This is administered by local councils for people on a low income who require help to pay their council tax. Savings will affect how much you can claim.

Both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are calculated differently during your period of study than outside it, e.g. during the long vacation. You may find that your entitlement to both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is higher, or that you are only entitled to them during the long vacation.

For more information and to work out if you qualify, see the Cambridge City Council Benefits and Council Tax site.

Maternity Benefits

There are certain benefits you may be able to claim if you are pregnant or have recently given birth. Depending on your visa status, you may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth of your baby. See the Health Care section of this guide.

Healthy Start is a Government scheme that provides free milk, fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins to eligible pregnant women and children.

Please note that after your baby is born you may be entitled to claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit.

If you have a partner and you are both full time students who have just had a baby

You may be able to claim Income Support for a few weeks before and after the birth of your baby. Your joint income will be taken into account, including any student loan, when the benefit is calculated. You should also claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant within 3 months of your baby's birth. If you are a lone parent, you may be able to claim Income Support as well as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit throughout your period as a full time student (dependent on income).

If you are pregnant and working full time (with a low wage) and your partner is a full time student

You may be entitled to claim Working Tax Credit. You may be eligible for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, which you can claim on behalf of both of you as long as the claim is in your name. You should also claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. When your baby is born you are eligible for Child Tax Credit and you may be able to claim the childcare element of Working Tax Credit once you start using registered or approved childcare.

If you are pregnant and a lone parent studying part time

You may be able to claim Job Seekers Allowance as well as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You have to be willing to arrange your course around any job you may be offered or be willing to give up the course if a job becomes available. You may also be entitled to claim Income Support when you reach your 29th week of pregnancy.

If you are and your partner are both studying part time and you are pregnant

You may be able to claim Income Support when you reach your 29th week of pregnancy, although any income you both have will be taken into account when the benefit is calculated. One of you could also claim Job Seeker's Allowance as well as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as above.

If you are pregnant and have a disability

You may be able to claim Income Support if you are receiving Disability Living Allowance; if you have been claiming benefit as someone not well enough to work; or if you qualify for a disabled students allowance because you are deaf. You should also be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit whilst studying.

If you have been granted leave of absence from your course because of your pregnancy, you will still be counted by the DWP as a student even though you are temporarily not taking part in your course.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

This is a one-off payment to help with the costs of having your first child. If you are getting a qualifying benefit or if you receive a certain level of support from Child Tax Credit, you could be eligible for this grant of £500. New rules from 11 April 2011 mean you can only get a Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years old in your family. See the Directgov information for further details on eligibility and how to claim.

Government Grants

The Childcare Grant and Parents Learning Allowance are grants for home undergraduate students. There is no mandatory support for postgraduate study or overseas students centrally funded by the Government. The exception to this is home PGCE students, who may also be entitled to claim.

See Directgov for information and to download the guide 'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education'. Your entitlement to any assistance will be based on an assessment of your financial circumstances.

Also see the University's Access to Learning Fund, which is available through the University for home students with children.

Childcare Grant

The Childcare Grant is for students with low family incomes and pays for up to 85% of Ofsted-registered childcare costs. You cannot claim the Childcare Grant if you or your partner are receiving the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

See the Directgov information for how to apply.

The Parents Learning Allowance

This means-tested, non-repayable allowance is to help with course-related costs for students who have children. Full-time students with dependent children may claim even if you are not eligible for the Childcare Grant because you are not using Ofsted-registered childcare.

See the Directgov information for how to apply.