Financial assistance

Student group with blue shirts 100x100

A range of financial assistance is available to help with the cost of attending school.

School uniforms

By law, education authorities have to provide grants to help with costs of clothing for pupils. These grants are usually awarded depending on income. It is likely that you will get help to buy school uniform if you receive other means-tested benefits.

To find out more, contact your local authority.

Education Maintenance Allowance

If you have a child, 16-19 years old, who is attending school or college they may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). An EMA provides financial support and is dependent on your household income.

To find out more, visit the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) website.

Tax credits

In April 2003 the UK government introduced two new tax credits, The Working Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. These replace the:

  • Working Families' Tax Credit 
  • Disabled Person's Tax Credit
  • Children's Tax Credit
  • Provision for children in certain social security benefits.           

Nine out of ten families with children can get tax credits, but you don't need to have children to qualify. Visit HM Revenue & Customs website for more information or call the tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900.

Free school meals

Education authorities should give free milk, meals or other refreshments to pupils if their parents (or the pupils themselves) receive:

  • Income Support (IS) 
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC) but not Working Tax Credit with an income of under £16,190 (with effect from 6 April 2010) 
  • maximum Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of under £6,420 (with effect from 6 April 2010).

Lone Parents

One Parent Families Scotland is an organisation that offers a free helpline number and provides general advice to lone parents on issues concerning them. 

Related links

  • Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

    EMAs (Education Maintenance Allowances) provide financial support for 16 to 19 year olds from low income families who undertake a full time course at school or college.

  • Tax credits

    Information on tax credits from the HM Revenue and Customs website including tax credit forms and details of the tax credit helpline.

  • HM Revenue and Customs

    HMRC is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue, as well as paying Tax Credits and Child Benefits, and strengthening the UK's frontiers.

  • One Parent Families Scotland

    A national voluntary organisation which provides advice, a telephone helpline, training and factsheets on a wide range of topics affecting lone parents in Scotland.

  • Scottish Government - Free school lunches

    Access to free school lunches is an important part of the school lunch service in Scotland. It is important that pupils entitled to free school lunches get them without fear of stigmatisation.