Savanna Hoffman
Parents or guardians of a child in university may be able to claim benefits for that child, depending on the child's age, the type of education they are pursuing, and the guardian's income. In the UK, parents can claim benefits for a child under the age of 20 if they are enrolled in a full-time further education (FE) course of 12 or more hours per week during term time. This includes NQ National 4 & 5s, NQ Highers, Advanced Highers, SVQ up to level 3, and National Certificates (NCs). Additionally, parents can claim benefits for a child under the age of 19 if they are enrolled in a non-advanced FE course or an approved training course. It is important to note that the child's student funding does not affect the parent's award for Universal Credit (UC) or child benefit. However, if the child is in full-time advanced education, such as a university course, it may be difficult for them to claim Universal Credit themselves, and any benefits received by the parents for the child as a dependent, such as child benefit, may stop.
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What You'll Learn
Child benefit for university students: bursaries
In the UK, parents can claim Child Benefit for a child who is a qualifying young person. This term refers to someone aged 16 to 19 who is enrolled in a full-time course of further (non-advanced) education or an approved training course. The latest date that parents can claim Child Benefit for a young person is the day before they turn 20. To be considered full-time, the course must be more than 12 hours per week during term time. Young people on approved training courses are treated as qualifying young people if the training is provided under certain Acts and approved by the Secretary of State.
Parents can continue to claim Child Benefit for a qualifying young person even if they are receiving a bursary, as the bursary is ignored when calculating the Child Benefit award. This was demonstrated in the example of Oscar, an 18-year-old college student receiving a bursary, whose parents still received Child Benefit for him.
In addition to Child Benefit, there are other benefits and grants available to students with children, such as the Lone Parents' Grant and the Childcare Grant. These grants can help cover registered childcare costs for the days the parent attends college or university. Additionally, full-time students with children may be eligible for a non-repayable government grant to assist with accommodation and other living costs.
Part-time students and certain groups of full-time students may be eligible for income-related benefits, depending on their income and savings. However, most full-time students are not eligible for income-related benefits. Students can seek guidance from a student adviser at their university or college to determine their eligibility for benefits and understand how their student income may impact their entitlement.
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Student income and universal credit
Generally, student income will be included in nine or ten assessment periods but could be 11 for longer courses. The academic year usually starts on 15 September and the summer vacation starts in late June. Universal Credit assessment periods run from the third of the month to the second of the month. Student income will be included in the assessment periods from the beginning of the academic year up to and including the assessment period before the summer vacation. Student income will not be included as income during the long summer vacation.
Universal Credit is usually paid once a month and is based on your circumstances during that month. This is called your 'assessment period'. An amount for any maintenance you get will be taken off your Universal Credit for each assessment period that you attend the course. The amount deducted is worked out by dividing the student finance you get (or are eligible for) by the number of assessment periods in your course year. For every £1 you’re entitled to get from a maintenance loan, your Universal Credit will be reduced by £1. For each assessment period, when working out your income, the first £110 is ignored. No student income will be taken off your Universal Credit if the assessment period covers the first day of the summer holidays or if you’re on summer holiday for the whole of a subsequent assessment period.
If you receive a Special Support Loan or Grant, this will not be taken off your Universal Credit. A Special Support Loan or Grant provides help towards costs of study, such as books, equipment and travel. You may get a Special Support Loan or Grant if, for example, you’re a lone parent or have certain disabilities.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans in England and Wales include maintenance and tuition fees in one payment. When working out your Universal Credit, 30% of the loan is taken into account as student income. The rest is ignored. Funding for postgraduate loans is different if you normally live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Moving somewhere to study does not count as normally living there. Postgraduate Doctoral Loans can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course, such as a PhD. When working out your Universal Credit, 30% of the loan is taken into account as student income. The rest is ignored. Funding for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan is different if you normally live in Wales.
If you’re a full-time higher education student, you may be able to get a non-repayable grant from the government to help with accommodation and other living costs. There are also other types of grants that can help with things like childcare, tuition fees or examination fees. If you get Universal Credit and are eligible for a student loan, your student grant will be taken into account for specific amounts. If you get Universal Credit and are not eligible for a student loan, the following student grants will not be included in the calculation: maintenance of a dependent adult (if the Universal Credit award does not include an amount for this person).
Part-time students can apply for income-related benefits if they’re on a low income and meet certain conditions. If you're studying part-time, you may be able to get Universal Credit as long as you can meet the work-related requirements that apply to you. You cannot usually get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time, but there are some exceptions. You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and any of the following apply: you’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education and do not have parental support. You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re available for work and studying part-time. If the course is more than 12 hours a week non-advanced education, this only applies from 1 September following your 19th birthday. This is because your parents can claim benefits for you before that date. You may be entitled to Universal Credit if you receive a student loan or grant. Your student income, such as loans and grants, can affect how much Universal Credit you get. Loans for maintenance, such as living costs and rent, are regarded as income, and are taken into account when working out your Universal Credit. Loans for tuition fees and other costs of study are excluded. The maximum student maintenance loan you’re eligible for will be taken into account when working out your Universal Credit.
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Student loans and grants
In the UK, the benefits available to students in higher education depend on their personal circumstances, such as income and savings. Full-time students are generally unable to claim income-related benefits, but there are exceptions. For example, if you have a partner who is not a student and they are eligible for income-related benefits, they can claim on your behalf. Additionally, if you have a disability and qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium of income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you may be eligible for 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. While it is uncommon for full-time students to receive Universal Credit, there are exceptions. If you are a full-time higher education student, you may be eligible for a non-repayable government grant to assist with accommodation and living expenses. There are also grants available for childcare, tuition fees, and examination fees.
It is important to note that when calculating Universal Credit, 30% of a student loan is considered income, while the rest is disregarded. Loans for tuition fees and other study costs are excluded from this calculation. However, loans for maintenance, such as living expenses and rent, are considered income and will impact the amount of Universal Credit received.
In Scotland, parents can often continue to claim benefits for children aged 16 or over, but this is usually only applicable if the child is in further non-advanced education. The latest date for claiming child benefit is the day before the child turns 20. To be considered a full-time student, the course must be more than 12 hours per week during term time.
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Benefits for students with children
In the UK, parents can claim benefits for a qualifying young person. This term refers to someone aged 16 to 19 who is enrolled in a full-time course of further education (non-advanced) or an approved training course. The latest date that parents can claim child benefit for a young person is the day before they turn 20. For Universal Credit, the latest date is 31 August after the young person's 19th birthday. A young person's student funding does not affect a parent's award for Universal Credit or child benefit.
Part-time students and certain groups of full-time students may be eligible for income-related benefits. If you are a part-time student, you may be able to get Universal Credit as long as you can meet the work-related requirements. If you are a full-time student, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the summer holiday if you have a partner who is also a full-time student and one or both of you are responsible for a child or young person. You must also be available for and actively seeking work.
If you are a student with children, you may be able to get a non-repayable grant from the government to help with accommodation and other living costs. There are also other types of grants that can help with childcare, tuition fees, or examination fees. If you are a lone parent, you may be eligible for a Special Support Loan or Grant to help towards the costs of study, such as books, equipment, and travel.
In the US, there are various benefits available for students with children. For example, if you are the spouse or dependent child of a veteran or service member, they may be able to transfer their education benefits to you. You may also be eligible for the Fry Scholarship, which provides money for tuition, housing, books, and supplies. Additionally, cash assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can help reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for children. Housing programs can also help families with children access neighbourhoods with better schools, which can positively impact children's educational outcomes and long-term health.
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Benefits for students with disabilities
In the UK, there are various benefits and financial support schemes available for students with disabilities. The type of support and the amount of financial assistance depend on several factors, including age, course level, duration of disability, the impact of the disability, and other sources of income. Here are some of the benefits that disabled students can access:
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
The DSA is a non-repayable grant that helps cover the additional study-related costs incurred due to a mental health problem, long-term illness, or any other disability. The support provided and the amount received depend on individual needs rather than household income. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can receive up to £27,783 per year through the DSA. This can include funding for specialist equipment, personal assistance, and disability-related study support, such as additional copies of documents for proofreading.
Universal Credit (UC)
Universal Credit is a benefit that replaces working-age means-tested benefits. While most full-time students are not eligible, exceptions exist for students assessed as having a limited capability for work before starting their studies and receiving benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Students with illnesses or disabilities impacting their ability to work may be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance. If already in receipt of this benefit, it may be possible to continue receiving it while studying.
Additional Support
Disabled students may also access other forms of support, such as scholarships, grants, bursaries, and distance learning options. UK universities and colleges are legally required to ensure their campuses are accessible and non-discriminatory. This includes providing wheelchair-friendly routes, exam accommodations, specialist tutors, and assistive technologies.
It is recommended that prospective students contact their chosen institution to discuss their specific needs and the support available. Additionally, local authorities can provide further guidance and assistance, especially for students with social care requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
If your child is in full-time advanced education, such as a university course, they are treated as "receiving education", which makes it difficult for them to claim Universal Credit. However, if they are under 20, you may be able to claim child benefits for them.
The criteria for claiming child benefits for a university student vary depending on your location. In Scotland, a parent or someone responsible for a child can continue to claim benefits for a child aged 16 or over. In England, parents can claim benefits for a qualifying young person, which refers to someone aged 16 to 19 who is enrolled in a full-time course of further education or an approved training course.
University students may be eligible for various benefits depending on their personal circumstances, such as income and savings. Part-time students and certain groups of full-time students may be eligible for income-related benefits. Students with disabilities may qualify for the disability premium or severe disability premium of income-related Employment and Support Allowance. Additionally, students can receive grants from the government to help with accommodation, childcare, tuition fees, and other living costs.
