Advanced Learner Loans

Fees and Funding

Advanced Learner Loans

Information about funding available for adult learners aged 19+.

Find out if you’re eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan.

Learners aged 19+ enrolling for a level 3 or above qualification can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover tuition fee payment.

This scheme has been introduced by the government to help adult learners aged 19+ study qualifications at Level 3 and above that will improve their employability and develop high-level skills and knowledge.

The availability of loans at Level 3 does not replace an individual aged 19-23’s legal entitlement to full funding for a first full Level 3 course.

Advanced Learner Loans explained

Student Finance England have produced this video which explains the Advanced Learner Loan.

Frequently asked questions

To qualify you must be:

aged 19 or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
living in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this unless you meet one of the exceptions detailed on www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/eligibility
studying with a college or training organisation in England approved for public funding
enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3 to 6 which includes A levels, Access to HE Diplomas and other vocational qualifications.

These loans do not cover Degrees or other forms of Higher Education (HE). For information on funding for HE go to www.gov.uk/studentfinance

You can apply once you have received your ‘Learning and Funding Information Letter’ from the college during your enrolment appointment, which gives you the information you will need to apply for the loan.

We will support you with your loan application during enrolment.

You will also be required to provide personal information.

The Skills Funding Agency determines the maximum loan amount for each qualification it funds.

In some cases there may be a shortfall which you will have to pay if the cost of the course exceeds the maximum loan amount.

This information will be in your 'Learning and Funding Information Letter'.

The minimum amount you can borrow is £300.

Find out more by visiting our financial support for adult learners page.

You can apply for up to 4 loans and you can get more than one at the same time.

You can apply for another loan to take the same level of a course, for example the same level qualification in Adult Care if you’ve already had a loan for the same level in Business.

You can only apply once for an Access to Higher Education course.

You won’t have to pay anything back until you are earning over £27,295 a year, and the loan will be written off after 30 years. Interest on the loan will be at the rate set by the Student Loans Company which will be lower than anything available from the high street.

Learners who take out an Advanced Learner Loan for an Access to University course may be able to get the balance of the loan written off after completing a designated and prescribed higher education course.

Further information is available at studentloanrepayment.co.uk .

Repayments are based on your income, not on what you borrow or the number of student loans you have.

You'll repay 9% of your income over the £27,295 threshold. Even if you don’t earn £27,295 a year but exceed the thresholds of £524 a week or £2,274 a month at any point in the year (e.g. if you work overtime) then a loan deduction will be made.

Example repayment amounts

More information on the Advanced Learner Loan is available on the government website .