If you have children or other caring responsibilities, you may be able to get extra financial support while training to teach.
You do not have to pay this money back, and you’ll get it on top of your other student finance.
Figures are for the 2023/24 academic year.
There are full and part-time teacher training courses available, but you must be doing a full-time course to be eligible for the following funding. If you’re doing a part-time course, you may be eligible for Universal Credit(opens in new window).
Most non-UK citizens without indefinite leave to remain in the UK(opens in new window) will not be eligible for this financial support. Find out about the financial support available for non-UK citizens.
If you’re a parent
If you’re a parent, you may be eligible for:
- a Childcare Grant
- the Parents’ Learning Allowance
Childcare Grant
A Childcare Grant could help you with your childcare costs. The amount you could receive will depend on your household income and the number of children who are dependent on you.
You could get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less.
The maximum you can get is:
- up to £188.90 a week for 1 child
- up to £323.85 a week for 2 or more children
Grants are paid into a Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account. Your childcare provider would then be paid directly from this account.
To be eligible, you need to:
- be a full-time higher education student
- have children under 15 (or 17 if they have special educational needs)
- be eligible for student finance
Find out more about the Childcare Grant and how to apply(opens in new window).
Parents’ Learning Allowance
The Parents’ Learning Allowance could help you with your learning costs if you’re a full-time student with children.
You could be eligible for between £50 and £1,915 a year, depending on your household income.
This is usually paid to you in 3 instalments, one at the start of each term.
To be eligible, you need to:
- be doing a full-time undergraduate course or a teacher training course in England
- have dependent children
- have a household income of less than £18,739.99 a year
Find out more about the Parents’ Learning Allowance and how to apply(opens in new window).
If you’re a carer
You could be eligible for an Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to £3,354, depending on:
- your household income
- the adult dependant’s income
- your personal circumstances (for example, if you’re married or have children)
- what other grants you’re receiving (for example, a Childcare Grant)
This is usually paid to you in 3 instalments, one at the start of each term.
To be eligible, you need to:
- be a full-time student in higher education
- have an adult depend on you financially
- have a household income of less than £15,453.98
Find out more about the Adult Dependants’ Grants and how to apply(opens in new window).