Adult Dependants' Grant

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1. Overview

If you鈥檙e a full-time student in higher education and an adult depends on you financially, you can apply for an Adult Dependants鈥� Grant of up to:

  • 拢3,545 for the 2025 to 2026 academic year
  • 拢3,438 for the 2024 to 2025 academic year

The grant:

  • does not have to be paid back
  • is paid on top of your other student finance

You may have to pay back any money you are overpaid because of a change in your circumstances or course.

You cannot get an Adult Dependants鈥� Grant if you鈥檙e getting a Postgraduate Loan.

2. What you'll get

The maximum Adult Dependants鈥� Grant is:

  • 拢3,545 for the 2025 to 2026 academic year
  • 拢3,438 for the 2024 to 2025 academic year

You do not have to pay this money back.

Adult Dependants鈥� Grant will affect any income-related benefits and tax credits you might get.

What it鈥檚 based on

The amount you get depends on:

  • your income
  • the adult dependant鈥檚 income
  • your personal circumstances, for example if you鈥檙e married or have children

How you鈥檙e paid

The money is paid in 3 instalments (one at the start of each term) directly into your bank account.

3. Eligibility

To get an Adult Dependants鈥� Grant, another adult must depend on you financially. They cannot be any of the following:

  • your child
  • a relative who earns more than 拢3,796 a year
  • getting student finance during the same academic year
  • your partner if you鈥檙e under 25 - unless you鈥檙e married or in a civil partnership

You鈥檙e also not eligible if:

  • your household income (your own taxable income plus that of anyone else living in your household) is over 拢15,835.98
  • you鈥檙e getting a Postgraduate Loan

4. How to apply

  1. Fill in the Adult Dependants鈥� Grant section on your main student finance application - you鈥檒l need to give estimates of your household income.

  2. Student Finance England will assess your application and contact you if they need more information.

  3. Student Finance England will contact you to tell you if you qualify and how much money you鈥檒l get.

Supporting information

Student Finance England may contact you and ask for further information on your financial circumstances. This can include a copy of:

  • your P60
  • Child Benefit details
  • family tax credits details
  • financial information from your partner, for example bank statements

Tell Student Finance England straight away if an adult who is dependant on you starts claiming student finance and you are getting an Adult Dependants鈥� Grant.