Studying is expensive, but it gets sharper when someone else relies on your income too. If you’ve got a child, or you support a partner day-to-day, Student Finance England (SFE) has extra help that doesn’t work like a loan.
The tricky part is working out who counts as a dependant, which grant fits your situation, and what proof SFE will actually accept. Designed for full-time undergraduate students, this guide breaks down the SFE Dependants’ Grant support for 2026, in plain terms, with the evidence SFE typically asks for during the application.
Key Takeaways
- Dependants’ Grants are extra non-repayable grants, separate from your maintenance loan.
- SFE support for dependants usually falls into Parents’ Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, and Adult Dependants’ Grant.
- An adult dependant is normally a spouse, civil partner, or partner who relies on you financially, but there are extra rules if you’re under 25.
- For adult dependants, SFE can ask for a letter confirming the dependant’s expected income for the tax year.
- Evidence requests vary, but the Dependants’ Grants application form in your student finance application shows the exact details SFE asks you to provide.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What The SFE Dependants’ Grant Covers In The 2026 to 2027 Academic Year
- Who Can Get SFE Dependants’ Grant Support In 2026
- What Counts As A Dependant (And What Doesn’t)
- Exact Evidence SFE Asks For (And What You’ll Be Asked To Provide)
- Deadlines And Common Reasons Applications Get Stuck
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions About SFE Dependants’ Grant 2026
What The SFE Dependants’ Grant Covers In The 2026 to 2027 Academic Year
Photo by Ulises Peña
When students say “SFE Dependants’ Grant”, they’re usually talking about a group of grants SFE offers, which provide financial support up to the maximum grant amount if you have people depending on you financially. These are not loans, so you don’t repay them like tuition or maintenance funding (as long as you remain eligible). These grants are typically paid in three instalments alongside other funding.
In England, the main Dependants’ Grants are:
- Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA): extra help if you have at least one dependent child.
- Childcare Grant (CCG): help with registered childcare costs while you study.
- Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG): support if an adult relies on you financially (often a partner).
SFE updates rules and guidance each year, so it’s worth checking the current assessment approach for the 2026 to 2027 academic year in student finance assessment and payment guidance for 2026 to 2027{:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}.
Who Can Get SFE Dependants’ Grant Support In 2026
Eligibility depends on the specific grant, but the common thread is simple: you must be eligible for student finance through SFE, and you must have a dependant that meets SFE’s rules.
For Adult Dependants’ Grant, the current eligibility rules (as of February 2026) include a household income test, and you can only claim for one adult dependant, even if more than one adult relies on you. A postgraduate ITT student on an Initial Teacher Training course may also be eligible for this support. The official criteria are set out in Adult Dependants’ Grant eligibility{:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}.
A few rules catch people out:
You generally cannot claim the grant if your adult dependant is getting student finance themselves in the same year. Also, if you’re studying with a Postgraduate Loan, the grant is not usually available.
There’s also a rule change that matters for courses starting on or after 1 August 2026. SFE applies a requirement that the dependant is ordinarily resident in the UK, and being away part of the year can reduce entitlement.
What Counts As A Dependant (And What Doesn’t)
A dependant, in SFE terms, is not “someone you care about”. It’s someone who is in financial dependence on you in a way that meets SFE’s rules.
Dependent Children
If you have a child who depends on you, you may qualify for support like Parents’ Learning Allowance, and you may also be able to claim Childcare Grant if you pay a registered childcare provider while you study. SFE’s focus is on whether the child is genuinely dependent on you, not whether you’re studying full-time or feeling stretched (even though that’s real too).
Adult Dependants
For Adult Dependants’ Grant, an adult dependant is usually your husband, wife, civil partner, or partner. SFE also restricts who can count if you’re under 25. If you’re under 25, your partner normally won’t count unless you’re married or in a civil partnership.
Some people don’t count as an adult dependant, even if you help them:
- Your child (children are dealt with under other dependants’ grants).
- A relative with taxable income above the threshold (currently, SFE uses an annual income figure of £3,796 in this test).
- Anyone who is financially independent of you, even if you share a home.
Exact Evidence SFE Asks For (And What You’ll Be Asked To Provide)
SFE doesn’t always ask for documents upfront. Often, you provide details in your application, then SFE contacts you if they need proof. The clearest way to see what SFE asks for in black and white is the current Dependants’ Grants form. You can review it here: Application Form For Dependants’ Grants{:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}.
Below is what SFE typically asks for during the process, based on current guidance and application requirements.
| Grant Type | What SFE Usually Asks You To Provide | Evidence SFE May Request |
|---|---|---|
| Parents’ Learning Allowance | Your child(ren)’s details and your circumstances as a parent while studying | SFE may contact you for proof if details don’t match checks |
| Childcare Grant | Child details, childcare provider details, and cost information | SFE may ask for proof linked to childcare arrangements and payments |
| Adult Dependants’ Grant | Adult dependant details and income-related information | Evidence of taxable income (such as a P60 or payslips); SFE may check details with HM Revenue & Customs |
For Adult Dependants’ Grant, SFE’s current approach includes asking new students to send a letter giving details of the dependant’s expected income for the 2026/27 tax year. Income assessment often looks back at the tax year 2024-2025. Continuing students often don’t need to send new evidence unless something changed, for example a new dependant or a change in household set-up.
Deadlines And Common Reasons Applications Get Stuck
Dependants’ grants can feel like they move at the speed of a slow queue, because Student Finance England (SFE) often needs to check extra details.
Two things help most:
Submit your student finance application as early as you can, and respond fast if SFE asks for evidence. Also, keep copies of anything you send or upload, and make sure names and dates match across your forms. Note that a change in circumstances can lead to overpaid student finance, which must be returned.
If you’re unsure about timing, many students work to the “apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year” rule that’s widely shared by SFE-facing guidance, including student finance for students with dependants{:target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”}.
Conclusion
If someone depends on your money, it’s worth checking what you can claim. The Adult Dependants’ Grant options from Student Finance England can reduce pressure on your budget as a non-repayable grant, but only if your dependant meets SFE’s definition, and your paperwork matches what SFE expects. Start with the right grant type, follow the form closely, and treat evidence requests like urgent admin, because they are.
Frequently Asked Questions About SFE Dependants’ Grant 2026
Can I Get More Than One Dependants’ Grant From SFE?
Yes, it’s possible to qualify for more than one type (for example, Parents’ Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant). Adult Dependants’ Grant is different, because it only allows one adult dependant to be counted.
How Are Childcare Grant Payments Made?
Childcare Grant payments are managed through the Childcare Grant Payment Service, which helps cover your weekly childcare costs. This service ensures timely support for eligible students, separate from other statutory awards.
Does My Partner Count As An Adult Dependant If We Live Together?
Sometimes. SFE usually expects an adult dependant to be a spouse, civil partner, or partner who relies on you financially. If you’re under 25, SFE rules can block your partner from counting unless you’re married or in a civil partnership.
What If My Adult Dependant Has Some Income?
They can still count, but income affects eligibility and your household income assessment. SFE uses income limits in the assessment, and relatives with income above the set threshold (currently £3,796 a year) won’t count as your adult dependant for the Adult Dependants’ Grant.
What Evidence Will SFE Ask For First?
Often, SFE starts by asking you to provide detailed information in the application. For Adult Dependants’ Grant, SFE may ask for a letter confirming expected income for the tax year. If you receive a statutory award such as Universal Credit or Child Benefit, SFE may request your Universal Credit award notice or Child Benefit award notice. If more proof is needed, SFE will contact you.
Does The Dependant Need To Live In The UK?
For Adult Dependants’ Grant, courses starting on or after 1 August 2026 are affected by a UK living requirement for the dependant, and living outside the UK for part of the year can reduce the amount you get.
