University Students: Benefits Entitlement And Eligibility

University students may be entitled to benefits depending on their personal circumstances, such as income, savings, and whether they are part-time or full-time students. Full-time students are generally not eligible for state benefits during their course, but there are exceptions, such as students with disabilities, lone parents, and those with dependent children. Part-time students can apply for income-related benefits if they meet certain conditions and are on a low income. Additionally, students with visas or limited leave to remain in a country should be cautious about claiming benefits as it could affect their immigration status.

Part-time students and certain groups of full-time students may be eligible for income-related benefits

Part-time students can apply for income-related benefits if they are on a low income and meet certain conditions. They may be able to get Universal Credit as long as they can meet the work-related requirements.

Full-time students are generally not eligible for state benefits during their course. However, certain groups of full-time students may be able to claim benefits while studying. These include:

• Students with disabilities who qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium of income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Students who are lone parents or single foster carers with dependent children.
• Student couples with at least one dependent child (during the summer vacation).
• Students with a non-student spouse or partner, subject to the normal rules.
• Students who are pensioners.
• Students who have suspended their studies due to ill health or caring responsibilities can claim benefits from the date of recovery or the date their responsibilities end until they resume their studies or for a maximum of 12 months, whichever is shorter.

Additionally, if you are an international student in the UK on a student visa or with limited leave to remain, it is essential to seek advice before claiming any social security benefits to avoid breaching your immigration conditions, which could seriously affect your visa.

Full-time students are generally not eligible for state benefits during their course

Generally, full-time students are not eligible for state benefits during their course. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

If you are a full-time student with a disability, you may be able to claim Universal Credit. To be eligible, you must have been assessed as having a "limited capability for work" before starting your course and be receiving one of the following benefits: Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Child Disability Payment (in Scotland), Attendance Allowance, or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Additionally, if you are a full-time student and responsible for a child or a 'qualifying young person', you may also be able to claim Universal Credit. Similarly, if you are a student couple with at least one dependent child, you may be eligible for benefits during the summer vacation.

Full-time students who are also pensioners may be able to claim benefits while studying. Furthermore, if you have suspended your studies due to ill health or caring responsibilities, you can claim benefits from the date of your recovery or the end of your responsibilities, until you resume your studies or for a maximum of 12 months, whichever is shorter.

It is important to note that if you are in the UK on a student visa or have any other type of limited leave, you should not claim benefits without seeking advice first, as it could affect your visa.

While full-time students are generally not eligible for state benefits, there are specific circumstances and exceptions that may allow them to claim certain benefits during their course. It is always advisable to seek official guidance to determine your individual eligibility.

Students with disabilities may be able to claim benefits

Universal Credit

Full-time students are usually not eligible for Universal Credit. However, students with disabilities can claim Universal Credit if they:

• Are receiving education and are under the age of 21, with no parental support.
• Are responsible for a child or 'qualifying young person'.
• Are over pension age and have a partner who has not reached pension age.
• Live with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit.
• Have received a Migration Notice telling them to move to Universal Credit.
• Are entitled to attendance allowance, disability living allowance, or personal independence payment, and have been assessed as having a 'limited capability for work' before starting their course.

Employment and Support Allowance

Students with disabilities can claim New Style ESA if they have paid enough National Insurance contributions over a certain period. They will also have to satisfy the 'limited capability for work' test.

Student Finance

Students with disabilities can apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to help cover the extra costs they may incur during their studies. DSA is divided into four categories:

• Specialist equipment
• Non-medical helper
• General expenditure
• Travel

Housing Benefit

Students with disabilities can continue to claim Housing Benefit to help pay for rent if they are existing claimants and move to new accommodation within the same local authority area.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSDI provides monthly benefits to disabled individuals based on their work history and payment of Social Security taxes. SSI provides financial aid to the elderly and those with disabilities, provided they have limited income and resources.

Students who are lone parents or single foster carers with a dependent child/children may be able to claim benefits

Students who are lone parents or single foster carers with dependent children may be able to claim benefits

Being a student and a lone parent or single foster carer can be challenging, but there are support systems and funding options available in the UK. These can help you navigate the financial aspects of raising a child while pursuing your education. Here are some benefits and options you can explore:

University Funding Options

Single parents and their children can apply for grants, scholarships, bursaries, and student loans to help finance their education and living expenses. Here are some specific options:

• Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales: Single parents can apply for grants or bursaries to help with tuition fees and living costs. Extra support is available for single parents, disabled individuals, or those earning below a certain amount.
• University Bursaries and Grants: Many universities offer bursaries and grants for students with specific needs, including single parents. These can help cover tuition, living expenses, childcare, or emergency costs.
• Childcare Grant: Full-time students with children under 15 (or under 17 with special educational needs) can apply for this grant to assist with childcare costs.
• Adult Dependants' Grant: This grant is for full-time students with an adult who is financially dependent on them, providing up to £3,354 a year in England and £3,322 in Wales (as of 2023/24).
• Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan: Students can apply for loans to cover tuition fees and living costs. The amount of the Maintenance Loan depends on the student's household income, and part-time students may also be eligible.

Other Benefits and Support

In addition to the funding options above, there are other benefits and support systems that student lone parents or single foster carers may be able to access:

• Jobseeker's Allowance: If you're a full-time student and a lone parent, you may be able to claim this benefit during the summer holiday if you're available for and actively seeking work, and meet other criteria.
• Income-related benefits: Part-time students and certain groups of full-time students may be eligible for income-related benefits, depending on their personal circumstances, such as income and savings.
• Universal Credit: If you're studying part-time, you may be able to claim Universal Credit if you meet the work-related requirements. In some cases, full-time students may also be eligible under specific circumstances.
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): If you already claim ESA due to an illness or disability affecting your ability to work, you may be able to continue receiving it as a student.
• Foster Carer Perks and Benefits: If you're a single foster carer, you may be eligible for additional perks and benefits through your fostering agency, such as bridging retainer payments between placements, high street discounts, free memberships, and more.

Remember, the availability and eligibility criteria for these benefits may vary, so it's important to seek advice and explore the specific options available to you.

Students who are pensioners may be able to claim benefits

Full-time undergraduate students are generally not eligible to claim state benefits during their course. However, there are exceptions, and students who are pensioners may be able to claim benefits while studying.

If you are a student pensioner, you may be able to claim benefits if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a lone parent or single foster carer with dependent children.
• You are part of a student couple with at least one dependent child (during the summer vacation).
• You have a non-student spouse or partner, subject to normal rules.
• You have suspended your studies due to ill health or caring responsibilities.

It is important to note that you must meet the usual benefit eligibility rules to claim benefits as a student pensioner. Additionally, if you are an international student on a student visa or have limited leave to remain in the UK, seek advice before claiming any benefits to avoid breaching your immigration conditions.

Furthermore, as a student pensioner, you may be eligible for benefits such as Pension Credit, which includes Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it falls below a certain threshold, while Savings Credit provides an extra payment for those who saved for their retirement and reached the State Pension age before April 2016.

Other benefits that student pensioners may be able to claim include:

• Council Tax Reduction
• Housing Benefit
• Cold Weather Payments
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Discounted or Free Television Licence
• Discounted or Free Travel
• Free Eye Tests and Dental Care
• Hospital Travel Cost Coverage

To determine your eligibility for specific benefits, you can use a benefits calculator or seek advice from organisations like Age UK or Citizens Advice. Additionally, your university may offer resources and support for student pensioners, such as discounted access to sports facilities or language teaching centres.

Frequently asked questions