Students and Universal Credit

On Universal Credit, students are not usually entitled to Universal Credit but there are exceptions to this.

Young people up to the age of 21, without parental support, in full time non-advanced education.

The support can remain in place until the end of the academic year which you reach 21.

You have a child as part of your claim.

This includes lone parents, couples, adopters and foster carers.

You are over the State Pension qualifying age
You live with a partner and they are eligible for Universal Credit
You are a disabled student who has already been determined as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity (LCWRA) and in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment

If you are not in one of the exception groups

If you are a student where student funding for living costs is available, you will not be entitled to Universal Credit from the when the course starts. You Universal Credit payment will be reduced due to student income.

If you are a student and funding for living costs is not available, you will only be allowed to continue to claim if you can meet your claimant commitment with Universal Credit. If you are expected to work on Universal Credit, this could mean that you need to agree that you will give up your course if offered a job that conflicts with your studies. Your payment will not be reduced due to student income.