Advanced Learner Loans

What you neeed to know ...

If you are aged 19 or over and studying at Level 3 or above you can apply for an Advanced Learner loan to help with the cost of your course.

Loans are not dependent on your income and do not affect any benefits you may receive.

It’s easy to apply and you will only start making repayments when your income is more than £524 per week, £2,274 per month or £27,295 per year.

Eligibility

To qualify for the loan you must be:

  • Aged 19 or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age-limit) and starting your course on or after 1 August 2022.
  • Living in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK for three years immediately before this, or have Settled Status in the UK. Other students may be eligible, check the .gov website for details.
  • Enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3 or above which includes: A levels, Access to HE Diplomas, other Diplomas and Certificates.

How Much Will You Get?

Funding will depend on the type of course you wish to take. The minimum loan you can get is £300, however you don’t have to borrow the full fee amount; you can pay the remainder of the fee yourself.

How To Apply

To apply for an Advanced Learner loan you can go online or download the form from the Student Loans Company. You’ll get a letter confirming your loan usually within 2 weeks if you apply online, however postal applications may take longer. You need to complete your loan application before you enrol.

Repayments

You’ll be due to start repaying your loan in the April after you leave or complete your course, whichever comes first.

You pay back your loan (plus interest) when you finish your course and are earning more than £524 per week, £2,274 per month or £27,295 per year. You pay interest from the day the first payment is made to the College until your loan has been paid back in full.

Your repayments will stop if your income drops below £524 per week, £2,274 per month or £27,295 per year. Your monthly repayment amount will be 9% of any income you earn over £524 per week, £2,274 per month or £27,295 per year.

For more information visit: www.gov.uk/SLC or call: 0300 100 0619

Access To HE

Applicants to Access to HE courses will have their Advanced Learner Loan written off if they progress onto and complete a HE Course which is eligible for Student Finance.

Earning below £27,295.00 No repayments.

Earning £28,800.00 Pay back £11 per month.

Acceptable Evidence:

Low wage: A wage slip from the last 3 months, which shows gross salary.

Means tested benefit: Bank statement or show online banking from the last 3 months, which shows the benefit being paid into the bank, or a letter from DWP, dated in the last 3 months. For joint claims the student must be named on the claim. Online evidence can be shown. Council tax benefit: letter from the local authority or council tax statement for the current year.

For more information on Advanced Learner Loans visit the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan