Full-time Childcare Grant

Students applying for Childcare Grant (CCG)

Students can apply for CCG online (opens in a new tab) as part of their main student finance application. They'll have to submit some evidence. They'll be told what evidence is needed when they apply.

Paper application forms will still be available if:

• they've already applied for student finance but still need to apply for CCG, or
• they want to apply for CCG for another child.

2025/26 academic year

Download Application form for Dependants' Grants (PDF - 161KB)

2024/25 academic year

Download Application form for Dependants' Grants (PDF - 164KB)

 

What happens next

If the student's application is approved, they'll receive an email from the Childcare Grant Payment Service. This email will direct the student to set up an account with them where they'll be able to pay their childcare provider directly. The childcare provider will also need to set up an account with the Childcare Grant Payment Service in order to receive payments.

 

Evidence

Students will need to submit the following evidence showing that their children financially depend on them, such as:

• copy of all pages of their most recent tax credits award notice
• copy of all pages of their most recent Universal Credit award notice
• copy of all pages of their most recent Child Benefit award notice

Students can upload copies of evidence to their student finance account. We can accept downloads or screenshots from their Universal Credit account (opens in a new tab) or Child Benefit award notice from their GOV.UK account (opens in a new tab).

 

How is Childcare Grant paid?

1. The childcare provider sends an invoice to the student through their Childcare Grant Payment Service account.
2. The student will review the invoice online, they can discuss any updates that need to be made with their childcare provider.
3. The student approves the invoice online.
4. The funds are paid by the Childcare Grant Payment Service to the childcare provider.
5. Students might not use all of the CCG they are approved for. Any remaining balance will be returned to Student Finance England at the end of the academic year.

They won't be able to use their Childcare Grant to pay for advance payments such as deposit payments. This is because the Childcare Grant isn't paid until after they've started their course and we've got confirmation of registration from the university or college.