Student income

You can claim Council Tax reduction if you:

• are a part-time student
• are under the age of 20 in further education
• are of pensionable age
• are disabled
• are in receipt of Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
• have children
• have a non-student partner

Some students are exempt from paying Council Tax, or are eligible to receive a discount. You may also receive a discount if you have an adult student living with you.

We treat student loans, grants and bursaries as income for Council Tax reduction purposes.

If you or your partner are entitled to a student loan and choose not to take the loan, the amount you are entitled to will still be treated as your income.

This will also apply if you take a lower amount than you or your partner are entitled to.

We don’t count some loans, grants and bursaries for Council Tax reduction purposes:

• childcare grant
• Parent’s Learning Allowance
• some bursaries which are for course-related costs and/or childcare
• special support grant
• student grant for tuition fees
• student loan for tuition fees

We will need to see an original Council Tax exemption certificate or a student registration letter confirming your weekly hours of study and the length of your course.