Student support changes for 2027 (SFWIN 07/2026)

The Welsh Ministers intend to make amendments to regulations governing statutory student support for higher education students. In addition, changes to wider policy and legislative frameworks will affect the operation of certain student support provisions.

The changes described in this notice relate to eligibility for support and the administration of student support arrangements. Subject to the relevant regulations being made and other legislative changes taking effect, these changes will apply to eligible students undertaking designated courses of higher education in Wales.

Please note: the information described in this notice is provided for guidance only. Some changes are dependent on amending regulations being made, while others arise from changes to related legislation or policy frameworks. This notice does not cover every detail of the policy and should not be treated as legal advice or a complete explanation of the law.

We have made every effort to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication, but it should not be relied upon as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. In the event of any inconsistency between this notice and the applicable legislation, the legislation will prevail.

The regulations described in this notice are expected to come into force from February 2027. Other changes will take effect from the dates specified in the relevant sections of this notice.

Students awaiting a decision on a further immigration application

Under the current student support regulations, a student's entitlement to support may cease where their leave to enter or remain in the UK expires and they have not been granted further leave.

The UK Government’s Home Office has made changes to its Immigration Rules so that certain periods of overstaying may be disregarded where an application for further leave is submitted within the permitted timeframe and there is a good reason why the application could not be made before the expiry of the person's previous leave. During that period, the individual's presence in the United Kingdom continues to be treated as lawful while their application is being considered.

The Welsh student support regulations will ensure that eligible students awaiting a Home Office decision on an application for further leave to remain can retain their entitlement to student support while that application is under consideration. Eligibility will cease only where the application is refused.

These amendments will apply to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students from the date the regulations come into force.

Adult Dependants’ Grant for dependants living overseas

The Adult Dependants' Grant (ADG) provides additional support for eligible students who have financial responsibility for another adult. Under the current arrangements, a student may qualify for ADG in respect of a partner or other adult dependant who lives overseas. 

Entitlement to ADG will no longer be available where the adult dependant lives outside the UK. This change aligns support more closely with UK residency principles.

The change will apply to new and continuing undergraduate students for academic years beginning on or after 1 August 2027.

Childcare Grant and approved nannies

Under the current arrangements, Childcare Grant (CCG) may be available in respect of childcare provided by childcare providers approved under the Approval of Home Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 2021 (the "Nanny Scheme").

The Approval of Home Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 2021 will be revoked and replaced by the Voluntary Approval of Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 2026 (“the 2026 Scheme”). Once those changes take effect, approved nannies will no longer be eligible childcare providers for the purposes of CCG. Childcare provided by other providers approved under the 2026 Scheme will also not qualify for CCG.

The change will apply to new and continuing undergraduate students from the date the Approval of Home Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 2021 is revoked. Childcare costs incurred on or after that date in respect of approved nannies or other providers approved solely under the 2026 Scheme will not qualify for CCG.

If you have questions about applications, how to apply, payments or any other aspect of the service, please contact Student Finance Wales.

If you have any questions about this Information Notice, please email the Strategy and Funding Division, Welsh Government: StudentFinanceDivision@gov.wales

Large print, Braille and alternative language versions of this document are available on request.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.