Care to Learn scheme

If you’re a parent aged between 16 and 20 and studying at a further education college, the Care to Learn (NI) Scheme could help towards your childcare costs. You can apply for financial help if you expect to become a parent during your course.

See the latest advice in relation to COVID-19 for students in further education.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must during your course of study be or become:

the main carer of your child/children
at least 16 years old
under 20 years of age at the start of your course of study and meet residency requirements under the Education (Student Support) Regulations (Northern Ireland)

Your local college can advise you on all these eligibility conditions.

Further Education (FE) Colleges

If you are under 16 and a parent studying at a Further Education (FE) college, the college will refer you to the Education Welfare Service of the Education Authority.

If you become 20 years during your course of study you may choose to stay on the scheme or to apply for help under the FE Support Funds (discretionary).

If you get or are eligible for childcare support from other sources, such as Tax Credits, Childcare Grant Support Funds or any other DfE or EU-funded programmes, you are not eligible for support under Care to Learn (NI) Scheme.

If you are expecting a baby during your course of study you may apply to find out of you're eligible for support.

Courses

The scheme is open to full-time and part-time FE students and Higher Education (HE) students, enrolled in an FE college on regulated professional and technical courses, and listed on the Register of Regulated Qualifications (RRQ). This covers regulated courses from Entry Level to Level 5.

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Care to Learn scheme

Eligibility

Courses

Translation help

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Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment