Students

If you are a student or there is a student in your home, you may be entitled to a Council Tax reduction.

Definition of a student

For Council Tax purposes a student is someone who is

• 18 years old and their parent or guardian is still entitled to child benefit for them

• Under the age of 20 and they left School or College on or after May 1, having finished a qualifying course of education in the same year. This will stop if they reach the age of 20 during the period May 1 to October 31, or at October 31 (whichever is sooner)

• Under the age of 20 and studying for a qualifying course of education that is not higher education.
• Taking a full-time course of education, at a college or university. (This is at least 21 hours per week for 24 weeks within an academic year.)
• A student nurse and studying academic courses at college or university (eg student midwives and trainee health visitors)
• Appointed as a foreign language assistant at a school or college in Great Britain and registered with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges

For Council Tax purposes a student needs to be studying on a full time basis. This means that they are studying for at least 21 hours per week for 24 weeks within an academic year and a recognised educational establishment must run the course.

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Exemptions

An exemption can be granted on your Council Tax if

• The home is only lived in by full-time students
• A full time student leaves their home empty during term time to go elsewhere to take up a full time course

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Discounts

The full Council Tax Bill assumes that there are at least two adults living in the property. When only one person over 18 years lives in the property a discount of 25% can be awarded. However, some adults are not counted, and in certain circumstances a discount can still be awarded if there is more than one adult.

Students are one of the groups of people who are not counted.

Examples

Household composition	Discount awarded
2 parents and 1 student	No discount as 2 other adults counted
1 adult and 2 students	25% discount as only 1 adult counted
2 adults one of which is a student	25% discount as 1 adult counted

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How to claim a student reduction

If you would like to claim a student exemption or discount then you should click here to download a student reduction form. (link to form). This should be completed and returned together with the relevant proof to confirm that the individual is a student.

Details of the proof that should be provided are detailed below

Situation Someone who is...	Proof required
18 years old and their parent or guardian is still entitled to Child Benefit for them	A copy of the first two pages of child benefit book or Official letter confirming child benefit (including who it is for)
Under the age of 20 and they left school or college on or after May 1, having finished a qualifying course of education in the same year	Proof of child benefit The name of the course and the establishment
Under the age of 20 and studying for a qualifying course of education that is not higher education	A student certificate or A headed letter from the school or college confirming the studies
Taking a full-time course of education, at a college or university (inc student nurses)	A student certificate from the college/ university. This must confirm the student's name, date of birth, name and level of the course, start and end date of the course
Appointed as a foreign language assistant at a school or college in Great Britain and they are registered with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges	A student certificate A copy of the passport or visa belonging to the foreign student
A full time student and resident elsewhere (and who wishes to claim an exemption on the previous property).	A student certificate Proof of ownership or tenancy Details of their current address

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Council Tax benefit for students

A claim for Council Tax benefit must be made by the person liable to pay council tax. Generally, full time students cannot claim benefit, unless they fall within one of the following categories

• A lone parent.
• Disabled.
• Under 19 following a further (not higher) course.
• Aged 60 or over.

To find out more information or to make a claim, please click here to go to the Benefits section or contact a member of staff.

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Payments

If you wish to claim a reduction or benefit then you must continue to pay in line with your current bill. If this is awarded you will then be issued with a further bill and new payment instructions. This will take account of any payments you have already made.

Click here to go to the Frequently Asked Questions page which will give you more information on students.

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