Full-time students: definitions

Most full-time students are excluded from benefits – mainly those benefits for which entitlement relies on a means test. There is one definition of ’full-time student’ used for income support, jobseeker’s allowance and housing benefit. Other definitions are used for council tax, carer’s allowance and employment and support allowance. Some students can still claim means-tested benefits, despite being classed as full time. So you should not assume that because a student is excluded from one benefit, s/he is excluded from them all. Who counts as a ’full-time student’ is explained in detail in the relevant chapters.