To mark National Student Money Week 2025, the Scottish Government encouraged unpaid student carers to claim financial support.
A carer, defined by the Carer’s Trust, is “anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.”
Social Security Scotland estimated 35,000 unpaid carers are enrolled in university or college. To support them, three financial support schemes are available.
In November 2024, the Carer Support Payment replaces the Carer’s Allowance, offering £81.90 per week to eligible student carers.
To qualify, you must meet the carer criteria, and be either over 20 and studying full-time, aged 16 to 19 and in full-time higher education, or a part-time student with less than 21 hours of study per week.
Eligible students can backdate their claim by 13 weeks. A Christmas Bonus is also issued in early December.
In addition, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement provides two annual payments of £288.60 alongside the monthly Carer Support Payment.
The Young Carer Grant is an annual payment of £383.75 for unpaid carers aged 16 to 18 who provide at least 16 hours of care per week over a minimum of three months. A new application is required each year.
This financial support is encouraged as the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) removes the Dependents’ Grant for 2025-2026 academic year, which previously offered support to student carers. The outlined schemes offer a crucial source of financial aid.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Sommerville championed the schemes: “I am delighted that Carer Support is now available in every local authority in Scotland… I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to find out more.”
Students in higher education can confirm their eligibility and apply via the Scottish Government website.
“City of Edinburgh – 29 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh – 20240913174556” by Drnoble is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
