If you’re a student in full-time higher education and there’s an adult who depends on you financially, you may be entitled to extra financial help through the Adult Dependants’ Grant.
The Adult Dependants' Grant could provide extra financial help if you are a full-time higher education student with an adult who depends on you financially.
The amount you can get depends on your income and the income of your dependants. The maximum for 2010/2011 is £2,695.
You don't have to repay this help.
An adult dependant can include a partner (including a partner of the same sex if you began your course in September 2005 or later), or another adult who depends on you financially. This will usually be a member of your family, but you can't count grown-up sons or daughters as adult dependants.
There is a section in the booklet 'Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education' that can help you estimate how much extra you may be able to get for your dependants. You can download a copy of the booklet below, or ask your local Student Finance NI office to send you one. It contains information about the Adult Dependants' Grant as well as other financial help.
The Adult Dependants' Grant is paid in three instalments, one at the start of each term. Student Finance NI will pay the grant to you at the same time as any Student Loan or other grants you receive.
You can apply before or during your course. On the main student application, complete the section that asks about applying for extra help for students with adult dependants.
Any Adult Dependants' Grant you get will be counted as income when working out your entitlement to benefits.
If your circumstances change - for example, if your income goes up or down, you should contact your local Student Finance NI office. This is important to make sure you are getting the level of help you're entitled to.
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