Advanced Learner Loans

Advanced Learner Loans

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To help you cover your course fees, students who are 19 and over may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan – whether it is for a full-time or part-time course or training programme at levels 3, 4, 5, or 6. You will not even have to start paying it back until you earn more than £27,228 a year.

Who is eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?

  • aged 19 or above at the start of the course

  • studying or training at level 3, 4, 5 or 6

  • depends on nationality or residency status (see gov.uk for details)

  • UK nationals and those with settled status (there are also some exceptions)

  • have not had a loan to study the same type/level of qualification before.

The loan is not dependent on your employment status. It is not means-tested or subject to any credit checks.

How to apply

  1. First, apply for your chosen course at Leicester College.

  2. If your application is successful, we will send you an offer letter. This tells you how to apply for the loan (via Student Finance England) and other important information.

  3. Complete either an online or paper-based application form.

  4. Online applications will be processed within two to four days with a valid UK passport. Other applications will be processed in two to four weeks.

If your course is eligible you can get a loan for up to 100% of the cost of the training, including course, material fees and any equipment you need.

Advanced Learner Loans work in a similar way to the Student Loan System. You apply for the loan via Student Finance England, and the payment will then be made directly to the College. You will apply for one single loan to cover the whole length of your course. You will pay your loan back after the course has finished and when you are earning more than the income threshold. If you take out a loan to pay for an Access to HE course and continue on to a higher education course, the government may write off the loan for your Access course.

The loans are available for courses at levels 3, 4, 5 and 6. Loans are only available for full qualifications not for individual units or awards.