Lana Oconnell
As a university student, you may be entitled to a variety of benefits depending on your individual circumstances. These can include Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, and more. The eligibility criteria for these benefits vary and can depend on factors such as your course load, income, age, disability status, and whether you have dependent children. It's important to note that full-time students are generally excluded from claiming key benefits like Universal Credit, but there are exceptions for students with disabilities or those responsible for children. Part-time students may have more options for claiming benefits but must meet certain conditions. Additionally, you may be eligible for other forms of support, such as grants, loans, or childcare services, which can help with living costs and other expenses. To understand your specific entitlements, it is recommended to seek advice from a student adviser or a local Citizens Advice team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student Loans | Living expenses, rent and bills |
| Access to Learning Fund payments | Help with general living costs |
| Maintenance Grant | Available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later |
| Discretionary Grant | Accommodation where you also receive Universal Credit payments for housing costs |
| Bursaries | Available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later, not for course-related costs or childcare |
| Special Support Grant or Loan | Available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later and who get or qualify for certain benefits |
| Jobseeker's Allowance | Available to full-time students during the summer holiday if they have a partner who is also a full-time student and one or both are responsible for a child or young person; available to part-time students if they are out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average |
| Disability benefits | Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) |
| Universal Credit | Available to students who are disabled, responsible for a child under 16, or 16-19 in full-time education; available to part-time students if they meet work-related requirements |
| Childcare | Up to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year if your child is 3 or 4 |
| Tax Credits | Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits |
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What You'll Learn
Universal Credit
Generally, full-time students are not eligible to claim Universal Credit. However, there are exceptions to this rule, mainly for students who are:
- Disabled
- Responsible for a child under 16, or 16-19 in full-time education
- Eligible for a student loan or grant
- Studying full-time non-advanced education, not receiving a student loan or maintenance grant, and available for work
- Classed as 'habitually resident' in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
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.
The amount of Universal Credit you receive may be affected by your student income, such as loans and grants. Loans for tuition fees and other study costs are excluded, but loans for maintenance (e.g. living costs and rent) are regarded as income and are taken into account when calculating your Universal Credit. For every £1 you're entitled to receive from a maintenance loan, your Universal Credit will be reduced by £1. However, if you receive a Special Support Loan or Grant, this will not be deducted from your Universal Credit.
It is recommended that you seek advice from Citizens Advice or a student adviser before making a claim, as it may impact other benefits you are entitled to.
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Student Loans
Maintenance Loans
Maintenance loans are meant to help with living expenses, such as rent, bills, and other general living costs. The majority of any maintenance loan you are entitled to will be accessible to you, even if you choose not to take it out. This type of loan is means-tested, meaning the amount you receive depends on your household income. If you are a full-time student, you may be eligible for a Maintenance Grant, which does not need to be paid back. Part-time students may also be eligible for maintenance support, but the conditions vary depending on the country and institution.
Tuition Fee Loans
Tuition fee loans are available to cover the cost of your university course fees. Unlike maintenance loans, tuition fee loans are not means-tested, and you can apply for the full cost of your course, regardless of your household income.
Student Loan Repayments
Repayment of student loans usually begins after graduation, once you earn above a certain income threshold. The threshold varies by country and loan type. Repayments are typically made directly from your salary, with a percentage of your income above the threshold deducted each month. If you do not earn above the threshold, you do not have to make any repayments. Any outstanding loan balance is typically written off after a certain period, which again varies by country and loan type.
Impact on Benefits
It is important to note that your student loan may impact your eligibility for certain benefits. For example, in the UK, your student loan is considered income when calculating Universal Credit, and your entitlement may be reduced as a result. However, there are exceptions for certain grants and support loans, which are not included in this calculation. If you are claiming benefits or plan to do so, it is essential to understand how your student loan might affect your entitlement.
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Grants
If you are a university student in the UK, you may be entitled to claim certain benefits and financial support. However, it can be tricky to determine your eligibility, and most full-time students are excluded from claiming means-tested benefits. Here is some information on grants that may be available to you:
Disabled Students' Allowance
The Disabled Students' Allowance is a grant to help cover study-related costs for students with a mental health issue, long-term illness, or disability. It is a non-means-tested allowance, meaning the amount you receive depends on your needs rather than your income. This grant is only available to students living in England.
Maintenance Grant
The Maintenance Grant is available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later. It helps with general living costs, including rent and bills.
Discretionary Grant
The Discretionary Grant is available to students who also receive Universal Credit payments for housing costs. It covers accommodation costs up to the amount included in your Universal Credit payments. Any amount above this will be disregarded.
Special Support Grant
The Special Support Grant is available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later and who receive or qualify for other forms of support, such as Universal Credit.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available to full-time students who started their course in September 2006 or later. They are intended to help with general living costs, but they cannot be used for course-related expenses or childcare.
NHS Bursary
The NHS provides an annual bursary payment for students studying to become doctors or dentists.
Hardship Funds
Your university or college may offer hardship funds to help students facing financial difficulties. These funds are typically allocated by the institution's discretionary funds.
Childcare Funds
Some universities have discretionary funds to support students with childcare costs. Additionally, all students can access up to 1140 hours of funded early learning and childcare per year if their child is 3 or 4 years old. This support is also available for 2-year-olds in some circumstances.
Universal Credit Grants
If you receive Universal Credit, certain grants and loans will be taken into account when calculating your benefit amount. These include student maintenance loans and grants. However, loans for tuition fees and other study costs are excluded. If you receive a Special Support Loan or Grant, it will not be deducted from your Universal Credit amount.
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Childcare
As a university student, you may be entitled to a range of benefits to help with childcare costs. These benefits can include:
The Childcare Grant is available to full-time students with dependent children to help with childcare costs during term time and holidays. The grant can provide up to £1,538, depending on your household income, and you don't have to pay it back. However, there are restrictions on the childcare providers you can use. For example, you cannot use a childcare provider who is a relative of your child or who is only caring for children they are related to.
Parents' Learning Allowance
The Parents' Learning Allowance is available to students with children to help pay for course-related costs such as books, materials, travel, and learning costs. You can receive between £50 and £2,024 in the 2025/26 academic year, depending on your household income. This allowance does not need to be paid back, and your partner can also apply if they are in full-time education.
Lone Parents' Grant
The Lone Parents' Grant is available to single parents with at least one dependent child. This grant can help with living costs and does not need to be paid back.
Tax Credits
You may be eligible for Child Tax Credits if you are responsible for at least one child or young person. Working Tax Credits may also be available if you are working a minimum number of hours per week but still have a low income.
University Childcare Fund
Some universities have a Childcare Fund, which is allocated by the Scottish Government, to help support full-time students with eligible courses to cover the cost of childcare.
It is important to note that eligibility for benefits as a student can depend on various factors, such as your income, course load, and individual circumstances. It is recommended to seek advice from a student adviser or Citizens Advice to determine your specific eligibility for benefits and grants.
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Jobseeker's Allowance
If you're a full-time student, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the summer holidays if you meet certain criteria. These include:
- Having a partner who is also a full-time student, and one or both of you is responsible for a child or young person.
- Being available for and actively seeking work.
- Being 18 or over (this is the norm, but not always the case).
You may also be able to claim if you're waiting to return to your course after taking approved time off for up to a year due to illness or caring responsibilities that have since ended.
If you're a part-time student, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance if you're out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average.
There are three types of Jobseeker's Allowance claims: contribution-based, income-based, and New Style. The type of Jobseeker's Allowance you receive depends on your age, income, savings, and circumstances. To make a claim, you need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus.
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students are generally not eligible to claim income-related benefits or welfare benefits, including Universal Credit. However, there are exceptions for students who are:
- Responsible for a child under 16, or 16-19 in full-time education.
- Disabled or have an ongoing health condition and have Limited Capability for Work.
- Pregnant.
- Receiving maintenance loans for living expenses, rent and bills.
- Eligible for a Special Support Grant or Loan.
- Eligible for a Maintenance Grant.
- Eligible for a Discretionary Grant for accommodation.
- Eligible for a Bursary.
Part-time students can usually claim or initiate new claims for most benefits, provided that they meet the conditions and benefit requirements. Part-time students can apply for income-related benefits if they are on a low income. They may also be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance if they are out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average.
Once you have completed your course, you may be able to claim benefits as you will no longer be considered a full-time student. You may be eligible for help with living and housing costs if you do not have sufficient income or savings. You may also be able to claim Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.
