Advanced Learning Loans

From September 2013, Level 3 and above courses will no longer be funded for over 24’s by the government.

This means that learners will have to pay for their own courses at this level.

To help you continue your studies beyond level 2, the government have introduced

The National Timeline for Advanced Learning Loans

• September 2012 Regulations come into force

• Autumn 2012 Loans Facility and Bursary allocations to providers

• April 2013 Loans application system available

• August 2013 Loans-funded learners begin courses

(1) Choose learning option/s

(2) Receive Learning & Funding information Letter

(3) Consider the options

(4) Complete the application process either online or on paper and submit it to the SLC

(5) Receive confirmation from the SLC that the loan has been approved

(6) Start the course- the payment is dealt with by the SLC

(7) The College confirms learner attendance and receives monthly payments

(8) Course completion

(9) Once in work and earning more than £21,000 per annum, loan repayments start at a rate of 9%

(10) Completed loan repayment

To be able to apply, learners must be:• aged 24 and over at start of course

• Going into study at Level 3 or 4: QCF Certificates & Diplomas, Access to HE, A-levels and Advanced/ Higher Apprenticeships

The loan is:• Not means-tested nor subject to credit checks

• Not based upon prior attainment (for first Loan)

• Multiple Loans available to support progression but not available for same type of course at same level

Loan amount

• One application for the duration of the course (up to 3 years), not each year that courses fall in

• Minimum of £300 up to the value of either the provider's fee or the funded rate set by the Skills Funding Agency (whichever is the lowest)

• For Apprenticeships, the funding rate (and maximum Loan) takes account of the assumed 50% employer contribution

Additional learner support available

• £50 million bursary fund spread over two years (2013-14 and 2014-15)

• Support for mature students with learning difficulties or disabilities

• Help to meet costs such as childcare, travel, books and equipment

• Writing off outstanding Loan for Access to Higher Education Diploma courses on completion of subsequent HE course

• IAG from National Careers Service including a face-to-face session with a careers adviser for older adults.

To complete your loan application you will need:

• Personal Details• National Insurance Number (NINO) and ULN • Residency information• Passport details or alternative, accepted ID

• Provider and Learning Aim Details• Start and end dates• Learning Aim Reference Number• Fee charged by provider

• Loan amount requested

Learner repayments start:• Once the learner has finished the

qualification (or has left the course) and is earning more than £21,000 gross a year

• Monthly, via the tax system; first repayments commence in April 2016 in line with changes to HE repayment

• Additional voluntary repayments possible (by borrower and/or others, such as employer)

Learner repayments will be:

• 9% of income above £21,000 – irrespective of the amount of Loan(s) taken out

• Interest rates are linked to inflation – a sliding scale of the Retail Price Index (RPI) for incomes of less than £21,000; up to RPI + 3% for incomes above £41,000).

To show you what this means:

Annual income before tax Repayment amount

Up to £21,000 £0

£22,000 £7 per month

£25,000 £30 per month

£30,000 £67 per month

£35,000 £105 per month

£40,000 £142 per month

If your circumstances change:• The loan repayments will be suspended if

income falls below £21,000 – such as a career break or unemployment –and only starts again when the borrower again earns over £21,000

• Outstanding Loan balances written off: • after 30 years• on retirement (on pension)• on death (no family liability)

Useful links

• BIS: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/improving-the-quality-of-further-education-and-skills-training

• Skills Funding Agency: http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/24AdvancedLearningLoans/

• Contact for queries on funding policy: advancedlearningloans@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk

Useful links

• SLC Learning Provider Portal: http://www.lpservices.slc.co.uk

• Contact for queries on administration/SLC systems: LPservices@slc.co.uk

• Learning Provider Services: http://lpservices.slc.co.uk (access to the Portal from March 2013)

• LSIS support including toolkits and seminars: http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/24plusloans