Student Finance England - Parents’ Learning Allowance (Means tested)

Parents' Learning Allowance

You will receive a grant of between £50 and £2,024 per academic year (about 60 to 2,360 EUR) if you are a student with dependent children. The exact amount depends on your family’s income, so households on lower incomes will receive more. The money is intended to cover study-related costs such as books, materials and travel expenses, and does not need to be repaid. It is paid directly into your bank account on top of any other student finance you receive, in up to 3 instalments spread throughout the year. It will not result in any reduction in social security benefits or tax credits that you are already receiving. The grant is provided by the UK Government via ‘Student Finance England’.

Who can apply

• Children: You have one or more children who are financially dependent on you.
• Study level: You are studying full-time at a higher education institution in England, for example on a Bachelor’s degree programme. From 2027 onwards, a course comprising at least 120 credits per year under the new entitlement to lifelong learning also counts.
• Student finance status: You are eligible for English student finance, which usually means that you are ordinarily resident in England.
• Field of study: All compartments are open.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, provided they are classified as home students under the English system of student finance.
• Income: The amount depends on your household income, so a higher income may result in a reduction in, or the withdrawal of, the allowance.
• No postgraduate loan: You cannot claim this entitlement if you receive a loan for postgraduate study.

How to apply

You apply for this via Student Finance England as part of your application for student finance. Apply online if you are eligible for both a tuition fee loan and a living costs loan; otherwise, apply by post. You will need to provide details of your household income, and your account will be updated in approximately 4 weeks to show the amount. You must reapply for this each academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is an entitlement, not a selection process. There is neither a fixed number of funding places nor a selection panel. If you are studying full-time in England, have dependent children and pass the means test, you will receive the funding. The amount is based on your household income, so students from low-income families will receive the highest amount, whilst those on higher incomes may receive little or nothing.