Childcare Grant

[chilled7up]

I'm starting University in a few weeks time and my student loan has been approved, but they've requested more documents for the childcare grant, so I still don't know if I'm going to get it. I'm very nervous because without it I might not be able to afford the childcare. As anyone got any experience on childcare grants?

[SystemofaDowny]

What documents have they requested? Are you getting the full maintenance loan/grant?

[chilled7up]

I'm not sure if it's full I got £1083 grant and 2101.44 loan per term.

They've requested child benefit letter and proof of income and expenses in the form of a bank statement

[chilled7up]

Anyone?

[SystemofaDowny]

Ok well I can't say for sure without knowing your full circumstances and seeing your award notice letter, but that looks like full loan/grant amounts to me. If thats right then you should have no problem getting the childcare grant, which IIRC pays 85% of your childcare costs up to a certain amount per week based on number of children.

If your other loans/grants etc have been reduced due to income then you may still get some childcare grant but at a lower amount I think. If you haven't already, you will need to fill in a CCG1 form estimating your expected childcare costs for the coming academic year. This information will be used to award you an amount of childcare grant, paid in 3 instalments, at the beginning of each term.

At set points throughout the year, you will need to send forms CCG2, filled in by your childcare provider, confirming the actual amounts that you have paid. This is very important as they will not only stop your future childcare grant payments, but also all your other grant entitlements until they have received and processed the CCG2 form. Also make sure your childcare provider is happy to fill in the form, I had one that refused so I had to live without any grant income for 4 months and was also considered to have been overpaid by £1200 because I could not prove I had spent that money on childcare costs.

BTW my experience is with Student Finance England so things may be slightly different for you depending on which part of the UK you live/study. Anyway I'm sure it will all work out for you and good luck with your course. :)

[chilled7up]

Thank you system, I hope that you're right. That made me feel better