University of Birmingham - Support for students with adult dependants

Adult Dependants' Grant

You will receive up to about 4,110 EUR per academic year (£3,545) if another adult is financially dependent on you whilst you are studying. This is a grant, not a loan, so you will never have to repay this amount; it is paid on top of your regular student finance. The government pays it out in three instalments spread throughout the year. The exact amount depends on your own income and the income of the person who is financially dependent on you. It is a UK government benefit administered by the Student Loans Company and is described here for students at the University of Birmingham.

Who can apply

• Level: You are studying full-time at a UK university or are earning at least 120 credits per year under the ‘Lifelong Learning Entitlement’ (the UK scheme for the allocation of student finance throughout a person’s lifetime).
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Who depends on you: A partner (including a same-sex partner) or another adult, usually a family member, who is financially dependent on you.
• If you are under 25: A partner only counts if you are married or in a registered civil partnership.
• Income limit for the dependant: If the person is a relative, their annual income must not exceed £3,796.
• Adults only: This benefit does not apply to children who are dependent on you. There is a separate benefit available for parents.
• No overlap: The dependant must not receive any funding for their studies, and you must not take out a loan for postgraduate study.

How to apply

You do not apply directly to the university. You apply for the funding through your national student finance agency as part of your regular application for loans and grants – either online or by post. Your entitlement will be calculated automatically there. Processing takes around four weeks, and you must reapply for each academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested benefit. It is an automatic entitlement: if you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive the benefit without having to convince a selection panel of your case. The amount of the allowance depends on your income and that of the person you are responsible for supporting, as the allowance is means-tested. As long as the adult is genuinely dependent on you and the income limits are met, you can count on receiving the support.