NHS Business Services Authority - Parents' Learning Allowance

What the Parents' Learning Allowance gives you

You will receive up to £1,300 per academic year (about 1,500 EUR) as a grant to help cover the additional costs incurred whilst studying and bringing up children. This is a top-up to the NHS Scholarship, the funding scheme for medical and dental students in England. The amount of the grant depends on your income, so the exact figure will be calculated individually for your situation. Part-time students receive a smaller amount, calculated in proportion to their study load. If your partner also receives an NHS scholarship, you will each receive half the amount, or one of you may transfer the full amount to the other. The money is paid out in three instalments throughout the year, in addition to your main scholarship.

Who can apply

• Bursary first: You are already entitled to a full NHS scholarship, not just one that covers tuition fees.
• Course: You are studying medicine or dentistry at a university in England. This must be one of the academic years covered by the scholarship: the later years of a 5-6-year bachelor’s degree programme or a 3-4-year degree programme for new students with a university degree.
• Children: You have one or more children under the age of 19 who are financially dependent on you. Foster children are not included in this figure.
• Where you live: You usually live in England.
• Student loans: You are eligible for a loan from the Student Loans Company.
• Nationality: Applicants of any nationality may apply, provided they meet the above-mentioned residence requirement.

How to apply

There is no separate form for this grant. When you apply for the NHS grant via your online grants account, your eligibility for the parental supplement will be assessed at the same time. Please submit your application within 9 months of the start of your academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested grant. If you are already receiving a full NHS scholarship and have a dependent child under the age of 19, you are eligible for it. The difficulty lies in qualifying for the grant in the first place, as it is restricted to medical and dental students in England in specific years of study. If you fall into this category and have children, the top-up is essentially automatic, provided you submit your application within the 9-month window.