Funding & Loans

Don’t let worries about paying for your course hold you back... If you are aged 19 or over and applying to study at Level 3 or above, you could be eligible for a student loan.

An Advanced Learner Loan covers the cost of your course fees and is easy to apply for. It doesn’t take your household income into account and doesn’t involve a credit check.  Repayments are linked to what you earn and not how much you borrowed.

You only have to start making repayments when you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over £25,000 a year. Until then you don’t need to payback anything.

If you receive a loan to study for an Access to HE course, and then move on to do a HE course, you generally don't have to pay back an Advanced Learner Loan for an Access to HE Diploma if you progress to and complete an eligible university degree or HE course.

Do I qualify for a loan?

To qualify for a loan you must:
• Be aged 19 or over at the start of your course
• Be resident in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of your course
• Be studying an eligible course at level 3 or above

Applying for an Advanced Learner Loan is easy.  Download an application form or for more information please visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan or telephone 0300 100 0619

The College will provide you with the course information you need to complete your application.

PLEASE NOTE
If you are aged 19-23 and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, you will be entitled to receive free tuition and won’t need to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

However, if you already have a full Level 3 qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you are unemployed or in receipt of certain benefits, you may be eligible for free tuition.

We define a learner as unemployed if one or if you meet the following criteria:

• Age 19-23: You are aged 19-23 on the start date of your course and are studying for your first full Level 3 qualification.
• Low Income/Benefits: You are aged 19 or over, unemployed, and in receipt of a "work-related" benefit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Low Wage: You are employed but earn less than the low-wage threshold (e.g., £22,308 gross annual income).
• Other Circumstances: You are aged 19-24 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

You may be fully funded at our discretion if all of the following apply:

• You receive other state benefits not listed above, and
• Your earned income (disregarding benefits) is less than £338 a month or £541 a month if you have a joint benefit claim with your partner, and
• You want to be employed, or progress into more sustainable employment and your course will help with this

Your course may also be free if you are:

• Aged 16-18
• You are aged 19-23 on the 1st day you start your course, and
• This is your first full Level 3 qualification (you do not already have A-levels, an NVQ Level 3, or similar)
• You meet the 3-year residency requirement in the UK
  

Financial support may be available for eligible learners.  This support can assist you with travel to college, books, specialist clothing and equipment.  In addition, students can be assisted with meals and childcare support.

To enquire if you qualify or to find out how to apply for financial support, please contact our Finance Team on 01207 585 900.