- What is the Childcare Grant?
- Who can get the Childcare Grant?
- How do I apply?
- How much Childcare Grant will I get?
- How will my Childcare Grant be paid?
- What is the Childcare Grant Payment Service?
What is the Childcare Grant (CCG)?
The Childcare Grant helps eligible full-time undergraduate students with the cost of childcare while studying.
The grant can cover up to 85% of your childcare costs and is paid directly to your registered childcare provider through the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS).
Who can get the Childcare Grant?
You may be eligible if:
- You're a full-time undergraduate student
- You receive (or are eligible for) income-assessed Student Finance
- You live permanently in England
- Your child is under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs
- The child is financially dependent on you
- Your childcare provider is registered with Ofsted or another approved registration body
You will not normally be eligible if:
- You receive a Postgraduate Loan
- You or your partner receive Tax-Free Childcare
- You or your partner claim the childcare element of Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit
- You receive childcare support through the NHS
The Childcare Grant cannot be used to pay for the government's 15 or 30 hours free childcare hours scheme.
How do I apply?
Apply for the Childcare Grant as part of your Student Finance application.
If you're eligible, you'll be asked to set up an account with the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS).
Your household income will be assessed to calculate how much support you can receive.
How much Childcare Grant will I get?
The amount you’ll get depends on:
- your household income
- the number of children who are dependent on you
2025 to 2026 academic year
You can get 85% of your childcare costs or a fixed maximum amount, whichever is less.
The maximum you can get is:
- up to £199.62 a week for one child
- up to £342.24 a week for 2 or more children
The grant covers up to 85% of childcare costs, so you'll need to pay the remaining 15% yourself.
How will my Childcare Grant be paid?
The money is not paid into your bank account.
Instead:
- Your grant is added to your Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) account.
- Your childcare provider submits invoices.
- You approve the payments online.
- The provider is paid directly.
- Any unused funding is returned to Student Finance England at the end of the academic year.
What is the Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS)?
The Childcare Grant Payment Service (CCGPS) is an online system that lets you manage your Childcare Grant payments.
You can:
- View your available funding
- Approve childcare invoices
- Track payments made to your childcare provider
- Your provider must submit invoices through the service before payments can be released.