If you’re a parent aged 16, 17 or 18 and studying at a further education college, the Care to Learn scheme could help towards your childcare costs. You can apply for assistance in advance if you expect to become a parent during your course.
You may qualify for assistance if you are,or become a parent during your course of study. Other eligibilty rules are that you must be at least 16 years old and under 19 years old at the start of your course. Also the scheme is open only to those living in Northern Ireland, and those who meet the residency requirements of the Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland). Your local college can advise you on all these eligibilty conditions.
If you are under 16 and a parent studying at an Further Education (FE) college, the college will refer you to the Education Welfare Service of your local Education & Library Board.
If you become 19 years during their course of study may choose to remain on the scheme or to apply for assistance under the Support Funds (discretionary).
Please note that if you are in receipt of or eligible for childcare support from other sources, such as Child Tax Credits, Childcare Grant etc; then you are not eligible for assistance under Care to Learn.
The scheme is open to full-time and part-time FE and HE students in FE provision who are pursuing a vocational course, NVQat Levels 1, 2 and 3, GCSE's, A Level's and AS Level's.
More information about Care to Learn (NI) Scheme
Education, learning and skills
