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Fees, Funding and (Advanced Learner) Loan
Paying Your Course Fee
Further Education Courses
If you are in receipt of one of the benefits listed below, there may be no course fee to pay:
- Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work Related Activity Group only.
Courses may also be free if you are in receipt of one of the benefits listed below provided you are unemployed and looking to gain skills which will help you enter the workforce:
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit (not single person’s discount)
- Working Tax Credit (but not in employment)
(Evidence of your benefit will be required at the time of enrolment)
There are also full course fee discounts available based on the level of qualification held for these groups:
- Level 2 Entitlement 19 – 23 year old learners studying for their first full level 2 qualification
- Level 3 Entitlement 19 – 23 year old learners studying for their first level 3 qualification
To qualify for this fee discount you must not already hold the following qualifications:
Level 2 Entitlement
- 5 GCSEs grade A* to C, 5 ‘O’ level passes, 5 GCSE Grade 1
- 2 AS levels or more, 1 A level or more
- NVQ 2, 3 or 4
- Access course
- First degree/Higher degree
- Edexel/BTEC 1st Diploma or higher
- City & Guilds Craft part 2
- Intermediate GNVQ or higher
- HND/HNC
Level 3 Entitlement
- NVQs at level 3
- One or more A levels
- OCR National Diplomas and Extended National Diplomas
- Access to HE certificate
- One or more A level double awards
- International Baccalaureate
Advanced Learner Loan
Thinking about further education?
If you’re starting a course this year you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. These loans help you to pay the fees charged by colleges and training organisations. If you are aged 19 or over and studying at Level 3 to 6, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. You won’t have to pay anything back until you have completed your course and your income is over £25,725 a year.
Do I qualify?
You can quickly check if you are eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan by answering a few questions.
Click here to open the Advanced Learner Loan Eligibility Checker
These loans do not cover Degrees or other forms of Higher Education (HE). For information on funding for HE go to www.gov.uk/student-finance
How much can I get?
The amount you can get depends on your course, the fees charged and maximum amounts set by the government. The minimum loan amount is £300. You can take out a loan for the maximum amount to cover your fee or you can pay all or part of the fee yourself.
Find out more
For information and advice on learning, career and funding options, visit the Advanced Learner Loan information page on the National Careers Service website.
Independent advice and information is also available from the Advanced Learner Loan information page on the Money Advice Service website.
For more information and to apply, visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan