If you are considering attending university to further your education / employability prospects; you may have concerns about how you will balance your day-to-day living expenditure and childcare costs. The information here may make that step into Higher Education a little easier.
The staff in The Hub on the ground floor of the Main Building at Aston University may be able to offer you additional financial support via the Access to Learning Fund if you are a UK parent.
Funding may be available to you if you can demonstrate that you meet basic eligibility criteria. The Access to Learning Fund is administrated by The Hub and students with children are given priority and encouraged to apply to the Fund for assistance with costs not already covered by statutory support.
Please follow the link to the Access to Learning Fund for more detailed information.
The following statutory financial support we have listed below and given a brief outline to may be available to you. Further information about these funding streams can be found here.
The information below applies to home (UK) students who are considering studying at Aston University and will commence their studies from or after the 1 September 2006. The figures used relate to the 2010 / 2011 academic year. If you started your course before September 2006 please scroll down the page.
Maintenance Grant – up to £2,906
This grant (you do not have to repay this) is awarded to students who are from low-income backgrounds. If your household income is up to £25,000 per year you may receive the full Maintenance Grant of £2,906.00. If you are awarded the Maintenance Grant you will not be awarded the Special Support Grant (below) and vice-versa.
Special Support Grant – up to £2,906
This grant (you do not have to repay this) is awarded to students who are eligible to receive means tested benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit whilst they are studying at university. If you are awarded the Special Support Grant you will not be awarded the Maintenance Grant (above) and vice-versa.
For students who started their course before September 2006 and after September 2006 the following funding streams may apply.
Parents Learning Allowance – up to £1,508
Student parents who have children that are financially dependant on them may be eligible for this allowance.
Adult Dependants Grant – up to £2,642
Full-time students with adults who are financially dependent on them may be eligible for this grant which is non-repayable. The amount you receive will depend on your income and the income of your dependants.
Childcare Grant – up to £7,735 for one child or £13,260 for more children.
Student parents who use registered / approved childcare providers (approved / registered by The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills – Ofsted) whilst studying at Aston University, may apply for a non-repayable grant to cover the cost of up to 85% of their total childcare cost per year. The amount of childcare Grant received depends upon family income.
For further advice and support regarding registered childcare services in Birmingham, please click here.
If you live outside of Birmingham a list of Local Authorities can be found here.
Balancing study commitments with your day-to-day life can be difficult. However, knowing your child is in a safe environment close to the university may make the transition into Higher Education that bit easier.
You may find it convenient to use a childcare provider based within the Aston University campus area. The University Nursery may be the provider you are looking for.
Aston University Nursery is an Ofsted registered provider of nursery care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Support over the vacation periods for children aged 4 ½ to 11 yrs old is also provided.
The Aston University Nursery Ofsted registration number is: EY337194
If you require further information you may get in touch with the nursery using the following contact details:
Kay Fraites – Nursery Manager
Email: k.fraites@aston.ac.uk
Claire Thornhill – Nursery Deputy Manager
Email: c.thornhill@aston.ac.uk
Nursery Office direct telephone number – 0121 503 8536
You may also be entitled to the following funding streams:
Child Tax Credit
Child Tax credits are payments you may receive if you are responsible for one or more children or young people that normally live with you.
Working Tax Credit
If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit.
Following the link here, and answering the questionnaire will indicate if you are entitled to Tax Credits:
Following the link here to the governments Revenue & Customs website will assist you in calculating how much tax credits you may be entitled to:
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