England
Generic help from Student Finance England
Here in England, there are multiple sources of financial help available to you as a pregnant student. Check out more below!
Parents Learning Allowance
Depending on household income, in 2019/2020 academic year you should be able to receive up to £1716/ year.
You should be eligible if you are a student with children, who is taking a full-time undergraduate course, or an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course.
This does not normally have to be paid back and is paid on top of your other student finance. For more information: https://www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance/what-youll-get
Childcare Grant
Depending on household income and number of children, in 2019/2020 academic year, you should be able to receive up to 85% of your childcare costs up to the maximum of:
- £169.31/ week for 1 child.
- £290.27/ week for 2 or more children.
To be eligible you must:
- Be a full-time student
- Your child must be under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs
- Get undergraduate student finance, or be eligible to, based on your household income
- You’re not receiving a Postgraduate Loan
- You’re a permanent resident in England
- The children in your grant application are financially dependent on you
- Your childcare provider is on the Ofsted Early Years Register or General Childcare Register – check with your provider
- If your child is cared for at home, the carer cannot be a relative and must be registered with an appropriate body
- Not be, nor your partner, claiming Tax-Free Childcare, the childcare element of working Tax Credit or Universal Credit
- Not be, nor your partner, receive help with childcare costs from the NHS
This does not have to be paid back and is paid on top of your other student finance. For more information: https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant
Generic Help
Child Benefit
You normally receive Child Benefit if you’re responsible for one or more children under 16:
- Eldest or only child - £20.70/ week
- Additional children - £13.70 per child/ week
For more information: https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit
University grants
Most universities will also offer grants/ funds etc. Please find your university to see what they offer.
Free Prescriptions and NHS Dental Treatment
You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment and free prescriptions during pregnancy, and for one year after the birth of your baby.
Maternity Allowance
If eligible, you can receive:
- Up to £146.68/ week for 39 weeks.
To be eligible you need to have earned at least £30/ week for 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before your baby is due. The 26 weeks do not have to be continuous, nor for the same employer. If you have just found out that you are pregnant, you may be able to find work for long enough to be eligible.
For more information: https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance
https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/maternity-allowance/
Others Benefits you may be eligible for:
Universal Credit
Cannot claim as a student unless you are a responsible for a child or young person. The maximum loan you receive (or could receive) is taken as income, which may reduce or stop the UC award.
For more information: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Sure Start Maternity Grant
One off payment of £500 for parents who receive Universal Credit.
For more information: https://www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/sure-start-maternity-grant/
Healthy Start vouchers
Can be used to buy fruit, vegetables, vitamins and milk. You must be in receipt of Universal Credit.
For more information: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
