Advanced Learner Loan

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Overview

You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England.

Loan eligibility does not depend on your income and there are no credit checks.

Check if you’re eligible before you apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you’re studying a level 3 qualification, you might be eligible for an ‘Adult Education Budget’ grant instead of an Advanced Learner Loan. If you get a grant, you do not need to repay it. Ask your college or training provider about grants before you apply for a loan.

If someone is claiming an Adult Dependants’ Grant on your behalf, the amount of money they get could be affected if you successfully apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Different funding is available if you want to study in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales. Check:

When you repay your loan

You’ll have to start repaying your loan when your income is over a certain amount (the ‘threshold’ amount).

You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

You can choose to make extra repayments towards your loan. These are in addition to the repayments you must make when your income is over the threshold amount and are not compulsory.

Access to Higher Education (HE) course

Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a higher education course. This means you do not have to repay it.

The higher education course must be eligible for student finance.

If you made extra repayments towards your Advanced Learner Loan before starting a Higher Education course, these repayments are non-refundable.

Loan Bursary Fund

You may also be eligible for money from the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund if you need help with some costs while studying, for example childcare, travel or trips related to your course.

Use MoneyHelper to work out the cost of borrowing.