Parents' Learning Allowance
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1. Overview
You may be eligible for help with your learning costs if you’re a full-time student with children. This is called Parents’ Learning Allowance.
How much you get depends on your household income.
The allowance:
- does not have to be paid back
- is paid on top of your other student finance
- will not affect your benefits or tax credit
You may have to pay back any money you are overpaid because of a change in your circumstances or course.
2. What you'll get
Depending on your household income, in the 2024 to 2025 academic year you could get between £50 and £1,963 a year.
It’s usually paid in 3 instalments direct to your bank account, one at the start of each term.
Parents’ Learning Allowance is paid on top of your other student finance and does not have to be paid back.
2023 to 2024 academic year
Full-time students could get up to £1,915 a year.
3. Eligibility
You’re eligible for Parents’ Learning Allowance if all of the following apply:
- you’re a student in England
- you have dependent children
- you’re taking a full-time undergraduate course or an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course
- your household income is less than £18,835.98 a year
You do not need to be paying for childcare to be eligible.
4. How to apply
You can apply for the Parents’ Learning Allowance when you apply for student finance.
After you apply
After you apply you’ll get a letter telling you how much you can get.