Childcare Grant for Students: FAQs

Balancing parenthood and university life is tough, but it’s also becoming more common in the UK. In fact, around one in five undergraduate students is a parent. Studying full-time while raising a child brings both emotional and financial challenges.

This grant covers up to 85% of your childcare costs while you study. You don’t have to pay it back. If your costs are within the capped limit, the grant may cover them in full.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know in simple terms:

• Who’s eligible
• How much you can get
• What it covers (including holidays)
• How to apply
• And how it compares to other childcare support schemes

Do students get free childcare?

Yes, students can be entitled to free childcare if their childcare costs are below the threshold. If your childcare costs are below the threshold, your childcare costs will be completely covered.

If your childcare costs are above the threshold, you won’t get free childcare. However, financial support is available to reduce the cost, often covering most of it.

What is the Childcare Grant?

The Childcare Grant is a non-repayable grant offered by Student Finance England (SFE) to help full-time higher education students with the cost of registered or approved childcare. Unlike student loans, you don’t have to repay this grant. It’s a valuable form of support for student parents.

Who is entitled to a Childcare Grant?

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a full-time undergraduate student or Initial Teacher Training (ITT) student
• Be eligible for Student Finance (tuition fee loan and maintenance support)
• Be responsible for a child under 15 (or under 17 if they have special educational needs)
• Use a registered or approved childcare provider
• Not be receiving help for childcare costs from:
  • NHS bursary scheme (which has its own childcare allowance)
  • Tax-Free Childcare
  • Universal Credit childcare element
  • Working Tax Credit childcare element

Can part-time students get childcare funding?

Part-time students aren’t eligible for the Childcare Grant. The Childcare Grant is only available to full-time undergraduate students in England.

How much does Student Finance pay for childcare?

The amount you can get from the Childcare Grant depends on:

• Your household income
• How many dependent children you have
• Your actual childcare costs

You’ll get either 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed weekly maximum—whichever is lower.

For the 2025 to 2026 academic year:

• Up to £199.62 a week for 1 child
• Up to £342.24 a week for 2 or more children

For example:

• If your childcare costs £100 a week for one child, you’d get £85 (85% of £100)
• If your childcare costs £250 a week for one child, you’d get £199.62. This is because 85% of £250 is £212.50, which is more than the weekly cap

So you’d need to cover the difference yourself.

It’s also important to know:

• You pay any childcare costs not covered by the grant
• The money is paid into your Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account. From there, your childcare provider submits invoices, and you approve them weekly
• You can’t use the grant for deposits or any upfront payments
• Any leftover money at the end of the year is returned to Student Finance England
• The grant does not affect your benefits, such as income-related support, housing benefit, or unemployment benefits

Learn more about adult education funding here.

What does the Student Finance Childcare Grant cover?

The grant covers costs for:

• Nurseries
• Childminders
• Preschools
• After-school clubs
• Holiday clubs (including summer holidays)

Yes, the grant can be used during holidays (e.g., summer, Christmas, Easter) as long as you’re paying a registered provider.

What types of childcare are covered?

Your provider must be registered or approved, such as:

• Ofsted-registered childminders
• Nurseries
• Preschools
• Holiday clubs
• After-school clubs

Unregistered childcare, like informal babysitting, isn’t eligible.

Does the Student Finance Childcare Grant cover the full year, including summer holidays?

Yes. The Childcare Grant can cover childcare during academic term time and during holidays, including the summer break, as long as you're still enrolled and your provider is registered.

Make sure to include these costs in your Childcare Costs Form (CCG1) and Childcare Costs Confirmation (CCG2). Ask your childcare provider to confirm costs each term.

How do I apply for the Childcare Grant through Student Finance?

Step-by-step process:

1. Apply for Student Finance at gov.uk/student-finance.

2. When applying, tick the box saying you want to apply for the Childcare Grant.

3. Complete the Childcare Grant application form (CCG1). You can download this from your online Student Finance account.

4. Your childcare provider(s) will also need to complete part of the form.

5. Each term, you’ll also complete a Childcare Costs Confirmation form (CCG2) so SFE knows how much you’ve paid.

If you’re unsure, speak to your childcare provider. They may be able to assist you through the application process.

Learn more: The Adult Education Budget: Your Complete Guide

How do I get paid?

The Childcare Grant is paid directly to your Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account, not to you. This is an automatic process that occurs after you sign up and are approved.

What if I don’t use all the Student Finance Childcare Grant money?

Any leftover funds go back to Student Finance England. This happens automatically.

1. Your grant is paid into a special account called the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS).

2. Your childcare provider sends invoices to this account.

3. You approve payments from the account to your provider, usually every week.

4. If there’s any money left in the account at the end of the academic year, it’s automatically returned to Student Finance.

5. You don’t need to do anything; you just won’t be able to use the leftover funds.

Can I get the Childcare Grant and Tax-Free Childcare at the same time?

You cannot receive both the Childcare Grant and Tax-Free Childcare. You must choose one. The difference between the two is:

What’s the difference between the Childcare Grant and the Childcare Bursary?

The Childcare Grant is part of Student Finance support for undergraduate students in England. A Childcare Bursary may be available through your university or college for further education or postgraduate students.

These bursaries often vary by institution and have different eligibility rules. They may also be available to part-time students, unlike the Childcare Grant. Ask your student support office about bursaries or check your college’s website.

What if I stop studying or change my course?

You must tell Student Finance immediately. If you leave your course or your circumstances change, you may no longer be eligible. Payments may stop. You also may need to repay any overpaid amounts.

Can I use more than one childcare provider?

Yes, you can include multiple registered providers, but you must:

• List all providers on your CCG1 form
• Submit accurate costs for each
• Ensure they all submit confirmations in the CCG2 form

Study at The Manchester College

At The Manchester College, we believe that being a parent shouldn’t hold you back from reaching your goals. With the Childcare Grant covering up to 85% of your childcare costs, you can focus on your studies while we help make life easier. You’ll also have access to our dedicated student support services.

Whether you're starting your first qualification or returning to education, we offer flexible full-time and part-time courses. Courses are run by expert tutors and offer career-focused learning. Every class has a supportive, inclusive environment for student parents.

Whether you're starting your first qualification or returning to education after time away, it’s never too late to invest in your future.

Apply now or speak to our admissions team about how we can support you through your course and beyond.