Can students claim Universal Credit?

Most full-time students cannot claim UC, but there are important exceptions: students who are parents or responsible for a child, disabled students receiving PIP or DLA, couples where both are students with children, students under 21 without parental support (care leavers, estranged from parents), and part-time students. If you qualify for an exception, you can receive UC alongside your student finance.

Are students exempt from Council Tax?

Yes. Full-time students are exempt from Council Tax. If everyone in your household is a full-time student, the property is exempt. If you share with non-students, they receive a single person discount (25% off). You need a council tax exemption certificate from your university or college to prove your student status.

What financial help can students get besides benefits?

Students can access: maintenance loans (up to £13,022 in London), university hardship funds, NHS bursaries (nursing/medical students), Disabled Students' Allowance, Parents' Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, Adult Dependants' Grant, and charitable education grants. Your university's student money advice service can help identify all available support.

Can part-time students claim benefits?

Part-time students can generally claim all means-tested benefits (UC, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction) as long as they meet the normal eligibility criteria. The restrictions on students claiming benefits mainly apply to full-time students. However, part-time students are not exempt from Council Tax unless they also meet other exemption criteria.

Benefits & Support

Benefits for Students — What You Can Claim While Studying

Guide to benefits available for students in the UK in 2026. Covers Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax exemption, hardship funds, and when students can claim benefits.

By PocketWise · 8 April 2026 · 3 min read

Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Students face specific rules about which benefits they can claim. Here’s what’s available and who qualifies.

The General Rule

Student Type	Can Claim Benefits?
Full-time higher education	Mostly no — but with important exceptions
Full-time further education	Depends on age and course
Part-time students	Generally yes — normal benefit rules apply
Postgraduate students	Same rules as full-time undergraduate
Gap year (enrolled on course)	May retain student status

When Full-Time Students CAN Claim UC

Exception	Who Qualifies
Student parents	Responsible for a child
Disabled students	Receiving PIP, DLA, or qualifying for LCW/LCWRA
Couples (both students)	With a dependent child
Care leavers	Under 21 (or 25 in some cases)
Estranged from parents	Under 21, no parental support
Orphans	Under 21
Over State Pension age	Unlikely as a student, but eligible
Waiting to return to course	Illness, caring responsibility
Part-time students	Always eligible (normal rules apply)

Council Tax Exemption

Full-Time Students

Situation	Council Tax Status
Living alone (student)	Fully exempt — no Council Tax
All occupants are students	Property exempt
Mixed household (students + non-students)	Non-students pay (students are ‘disregarded’)
Student living with one non-student	Non-student qualifies for 25% single person discount
Summer holidays	Exempt continues if enrolled on a course

Getting Your Exemption

Request a council tax exemption certificate from your university or college
Send it to your local council
Exemption applies from the date you start your course

Student Finance

Support	Maximum Amount (England 2026-27)
Maintenance Loan (living away, London)	Up to £13,022/year
Maintenance Loan (living away, outside London)	Up to £10,227/year
Maintenance Loan (living at home)	Up to £8,400/year
Tuition Fee Loan	Up to £9,535/year
Disabled Students’ Allowance	Up to £27,265/year
Parents’ Learning Allowance	Up to £1,963/year
Childcare Grant	Up to 85% of childcare costs
Adult Dependants’ Grant	Up to £3,438/year

How Student Finance Interacts With Benefits

Income Source	Counted for UC?	Counted for HB?
Maintenance Loan	Yes — with some disregards	Yes
Tuition Fee Loan	No	No
Maintenance Grant	Yes	Yes
Disabled Students’ Allowance	No	No
Parents’ Learning Allowance	No	No
Childcare Grant	No	No
Scholarship/bursary	Varies — usually for education costs only	Varies

Hardship Funds

University Hardship Funds

Every university maintains a hardship or access fund for students in financial difficulty:

Feature	Detail
What they provide	Grants or loans for essential costs
Who qualifies	Students in financial hardship
How to apply	Through your university’s student services
Amount	Varies — typically £100-£3,000
Repayable?	Grants: no. Loans: sometimes

Other Sources of Student Support

Source	What It Provides
Turn2us	Searchable database of charitable grants
Educational trust funds	Course-specific or regional grants
Professional Career Development Loans	For vocational courses
NHS Learning Support Fund	For nursing, midwifery, and allied health students

Benefits During Summer Holidays

Situation	Benefits During Summer
Returning student (enrolled for next year)	Student exemptions continue
Graduating student	Benefits may start from course end date
Student parent	UC continues throughout
Student on ESA/PIP	Continues throughout

Specific Groups

Student Parents

Can claim UC throughout the academic year
UC childcare element covers up to 85% of childcare costs
Free 15 or 30 hours childcare may be available
Childcare Grant from SFE (up to 85% of costs, separate from UC)

Disabled Students

Disabled Students’ Allowance covers equipment, support workers, travel
PIP/DLA continues during study
Can claim UC if receiving PIP or qualifying for LCWRA
Additional study support from university disability services

Postgraduate Students

Same UC rules as undergraduates
Postgraduate loans are assessed differently for UC
Research students may be treated as workers if funded by stipend

Sources

GOV.UK — Student finance