Student Finance Northern Ireland - Childcare Grant

Childcare Grant from Student Finance NI

You will receive a grant of 85% of your real childcare costs for as long as you are studying full-time. This means you won’t have to pay for a childminder or nursery out of your own pocket. The weekly ceiling is around 170 euros (up to 148.75 GBP) for one child. It rises to around 290 euros (up to 255.00 GBP) if two or more children are in childcare. The exact amount depends on your household income, including your partner’s income. It is a grant, not a loan, so you generally do not have to pay it back. The money is paid directly into your bank account in three instalments, and you then pay your childcare provider yourself. You must reapply for the grant each year. It is awarded by ‘Student Finance Northern Ireland’, a Northern Irish government agency.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are a full-time student on a Bachelor’s degree programme, a teacher training course, or an HNC, HND or Foundation Degree programme.
• Field of study: All compartments are open.
• Your children: You have dependent children under the age of 15 or under the age of 17, provided they have special educational needs.
• Type of childcare: Childcare must be provided by an officially registered or authorised provider, such as a registered nursery, a childminder or an after-school club. Childcare provided by a partner or a relative does not count.
• Where you live: You normally live in Northern Ireland. If you live elsewhere in the United Kingdom, you are ineligible, even if you are studying in Northern Ireland.
• Nationality: You are a British or Irish citizen and have been living in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least three years. You also meet the requirements if you have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status as an EU citizen, refugee status or another recognised category of residence.
• No overlap: You are not currently receiving any other state childcare allowances, such as ‘Tax-Free Childcare’, the childcare component of ‘Universal Credit’ or a health grant.

How to apply

The quickest way is to submit your application online via your ‘Student Finance NI’ account. You can also download a paper application form. The final deadline is 9 months after the first day of your academic year, but please submit your application early to ensure that your funding is available before you start your studies.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested benefit. It is a needs-based entitlement, which means that anyone who meets the eligibility criteria will receive this benefit. If you are a full-time undergraduate student, live in Northern Ireland, have young children in registered childcare, and are not already receiving any other childcare allowance, you are virtually guaranteed to qualify. Apply for the allowance early each year and confirm your actual childcare costs in good time to ensure that payments continue.