Childcare Fund

The Scottish Government makes means-tested childcare funds available for students using registered childcare in the academic year 2024/25. The funds are made at the discretion of the University on an individual needs basis. This fund is not intended to cover childcare costs in full but to make a contribution towards the extra childcare costs faced by engaging in study. This may mean that awards differ year to year.

This year we will be confirming eligibility one semester at a time. If you have received support in previous years and meet the criteria listed and have taken the full free childcare allowance you are entitled to then we should be able to confirm entitlement for Semester 1 shortly after you submit all evidence.

About this fund

The Childcare Fund assists students with study-related, registered childcare costs. Childcare will only be paid for your period of in person study at the University.

The fund will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are fully drawn.

This page contains the key information that must be read fully before applying. Incorrect or missing information will delay your application. 

Who is the fund for?  

This fund helps with childcare costs while you study. You must:

  • be a full-time UK undergraduate student receiving an income-assessed (means tested) maintenance loan from your funding body (eg.SAAS, SFE, SFNI) for the current academic year.
  • be a full-time UK postgraduate student in receipt of maintenance loan support from your funding body
  • have received your first payment of your student loan 
  •   be fully matriculated for the current academic year

Before applying for assistance from the Childcare Fund, you are expected to have checked that you are receiving your full entitlement to state benefit payments, including :

  • child benefit
  • tax credits
  • income support and housing benefit
  • Lone Parent Childcare Grant from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (If you are from Scotland).

Who isn’t eligible for this fund? 

  • international students
  • part-time students
  • PHD students
  • UK students who have not applied for or taken their full entitlement (means tested) support from their funding body (SAAS, SFE, SFNI)
  • students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland in receipt of a Childcare Grant
  • those in receipt of an NHS bursary
  • students supported under the Paramedic Science, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary Scheme
  • students who are registered for exams only  
  • those on multiple repeat years  
  • students who are on an authorised interruption of studies
  • students with informal childcare costs e.g. non-registered childminder, friends, family member
  • Students who have not taken all their free childcare entitlement.

 

What can I get help with? 

You may be eligible for support if you struggle to manage your basic living costs.  

What costs are supported? 

Childcare support packages help with the cost of formal registered childcare expenses for dependent children, including:

  • child-minders
  • after school clubs
  • day-care
  • sitting services
  • providers of pre-school education

You must use any free childcare places or equivalent discount to which you are entitled under the Scottish Governments scheme for 3 and 4 year olds. If you choose to use a provider that does not participate in the scheme, this may be reflected in a reduced award from the fund. Childcare is usually only provided for the days you are attending classes but in exceptional circumstances and subject to funding we be able to support with childcare outside of this to attend other study related activity. 

 

Speak to someone 

Before applying for support, discuss your situation with the Welfare Advisors at the Students’ Association’s Advice Place.  They can advise you on your application and help you access additional support. 

The Advice Place 

 

Applying 

We are now accepting applications for 2024/25 Childcare support

 

Additional documents required 

  • Any documentation that supports the information you provide in your personal statement. 
  • 2 months of statements from all the bank accounts you hold, including digital savings accounts, ISAs, cryptocurrency, digital assets, social media wallets, overseas accounts and shared accounts. 
  • 2 months of statements from all the bank accounts your spouse or a partner you live with holds. 
  • Evidence of any income your receive, pay-slips, funding, or student loan award letters. 
  • Evidence of any debt you have, credit card statements or default letters. 
  • A copy of your lease if you rent. 
  • Proof of your mortgage or rent costs. 
  • Evidence of childcare costs you pay. 

Screenshots will not be accepted. Please supply full digital statements or documents, preferably PDFs. Scans of paper documents are also acceptable.

Bank statements should be dated within a week of your application and show the:

  • account holder name 
  • account number 
  • transaction details 
  • current balance. 

Information we will ask you for 

  • your fee status 
  • your family situation, partner, dependents and children 
  • your residency situation 
  • a personal statement explaining why you need financial support 
  • sources of funding you receive 
  • your living situation 
  • your financial situation and any debts you might have 
  • your UK bank account details 
  • how many installments you would like to be paid in. 

 

Apply for Childcare support 

 

Next steps 

When you submit your application, we will email you a call number. Quote this number when you contact us. 

Getting a decision 

We can receive up to 1,000 applications per year. We do our best to assess applications as quickly as possible. We start assessing your application once all your documentation has been received. Collect all the required documents before starting your application for a faster decision.  

You will receive an email about our decision.

Your first payment will be transferred to your nominated UK bank account within 10 days, provided your bank details have been added. 

 

How is my application assessed?  

With limited funds we must assess which students most need our help.  

Priority groups 

Priority will be given to students who are: 

  • lone parent 
  • care leavers/care experienced 
  • students estranged from their parents or guardians. 

We evaluate how much money you have in income and savings and how much you spend on essential and non-essential expenses. We do this by assessing your household income, savings and spending using the documents you provide.  If you have a shortfall, and cannot pay your essential childcare costs you may qualify for an award. 

 

Circumstances that may affect your application

Awards will be reduced or refused in the following circumstances: 

  • Student loans – You have not applied for your full income-based student loan (if you are eligible). 
  • Savings and income - You have sufficient money available to you in savings or from household income to cover childcare costs. 
  • Non-essential overspending - We identify other ways to reduce non-essential expenses such as takeaways, alcohol, eating out, clothing or recreation/entertainment to a sustainable level. 
  • Gambling - There are signs of gambling in your bank statements. (we will support you to manage this) 

 

Disputes, appeals and fraudulent applications

We hope that your application process goes as smoothly as possible. If you have any issues with our decisions, we have a dispute and appeals procedure that you can follow. If we discover that your application or any documents you provide us are fraudulent, we will investigate.

Disputes, appeals and fraudulent applications

 

Resources

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Contact

Scholarships and Financial Support Team

Contact details

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