Dependants Allowance is a means tested allowance payable to students who are responsible for people who are wholly or mainly financially dependent on them during their time in training.
This includes:
- spouses, civil partners, or partners
- dependent children including step children
- other dependant adults who are financially dependent on you for their day-to-day needs
Dependants Allowance cannot be paid for:
- people who are in receipt of publicly funded student support or if they’re wholly or mainly supported by state benefits
- children who are over normal school age who are employed or have entered higher education or a paid apprenticeship
- foster children
When you apply for an NHS Bursary, we’ll assess your eligibility for Dependents Allowance automatically.
Dependant student
If you’re a dependant student and live with your partner, you can apply for Dependants Allowance.
A student can be classed as dependent on their parents income for the main bursary award but still claim Dependants Allowance for a partner.
Your parents income would be used to assess your entitlement to the basic award and extra weeks allowance and your partner's income will be used to assess the Dependants Allowance.
If your parents do not declare their income on the application, the award will be assessed as 'Fees only' and you’ll not be able to claim Dependants Allowance for your partner.