Funding is available through the Learner Support Scheme to help students with childcare costs. Priority is given to single parents and those on low incomes, and the fund can be used to support the costs of any registered childcare.
Learner support funds can help students at further education colleges with the costs of books, equipment, transport, and accommodation and can also be used to help pay childcare costs. To find out more information and apply for the Learner Support Fund contact the Student Support or Welfare Officer at
your college. If you are at a sixth form college, contact Oldham’s Local Education Authority (LEA). The average grant each student will receive is approximately £1,300 each year. It should not affect the level of benefits that a student is entitled to.
Telephone 0845 602 2260 or check out the Learn Direct Childcare Funding website.
Help with childcare costs may be available for higher education students. Students with children may be eligible to receive:
Higher-education students who are parents are eligible for a childcare grant based on their financial circumstances. The grant pays a percentage of the costs of childcare and is paid for 52 weeks of the year for children up to the age of 14 (up to 16 for children with additional educational needs).
The childcare grant is for students with dependant children. The grant will now pay a set rate of 85% of actual childcare costs throughout the whole year with:
For details of the help available, call Oldham’s Local Education Authority (LEA) student support service on 0161 770 3352.
There is a new childcare allowance for NHS-funded students to help with childcare costs during their studies. Parents who are interested in becoming nurses, midwives or physiotherapists will know that the NHS can make a significant contribution to childcare costs. Under the scheme, up to 85% of childcare costs will be met. Up to £123.25 per week for students with one child or £182.75 per week for two or more children could be available. The allowance is means tested and may be available to students who recieve an NHS bursary, except for those who have applied for, or are only entitled to, a fees only award. To be eligible for the allowance the childcare must be provided by a registered chilcare provider and the child must be aged under 15 years or under 17 years if the child has additional educational needs.
Students can check their eligibility for help with childcare costs by visiting the 'NHS Student Bursaries and You' website or by calling 0845 358 6655.
These are additional types of funding that students may be eligible for.
This fund gives grants to women studying to improve their employment prospects. At present, grants are given only to help with childcare costs of student mothers in higher education. The fund also helps a small number of women refugees who are studying for a professional re-qualification.
Contact - 020 7631 0566 or visit the Elizabeth Nuffield Educational Fund website.
Limited funding may be available through these for individual students. Your local or college library may be able to help you with details of organisations that offer trusts and funds.
Useful publications that you can look out for in your library are:
The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) offers guidance and advice on funding for those studying in post-16 education in the UK. EGAS operates nationally, providing comprehensive advice and information on sources of funding available for post-16 education and training including loans, grants, benefits, access funds, hardship funds, bursaries and charitable trusts.
Call EGAS on 020 7254 6251 or visit the Educational Grants Advisory Service website.
This loan is aimed at students aged 18 and above who are doing a vocational course (education or training courses where you learn skills specific to a particular job or career such as leisure & tourism, engineering, nursing etc.) A Ccareer Development Loan offers funding for two years whilst students are in education or job related training (or three years if the course requires one year of in-work training). This loan can be used for any costs related to studying and training, including childcare costs. Students will have to repay the loan, but not until one month after completing the course. The government pays the interest on the loan during the course, so students only pay interest once they start repaying the loan. A Career Development Loan may affect benefit entitlement, so students also need to speak to their benefits advisor.
To find out more about Career Development Loans contact 0800 585 505 or visit the Career Development Loans website.