Advanced Learner Loan FAQ

No, it is a loan issued by the Student Loan Company on behalf of the Government.

No, the choice is yours. You can personally pay for your course in full, or opt to pay part of the fees yourself. Alternatively, you may want to talk to your employer as they may be prepared to pay for some or all of your course fees.

You can pay for your course in full or by instalments/Direct Debits. You do not have to have a loan to apply for a course.

No. Your loan application will cover the full length of your course. However, if you are successful in your first year and wish to progress to the second year to top up to an extended diploma, then we ask that you contact the Loans Company to request the additional loan amount.

Yes. Loan repayments will only be made to us once you’ve been on a course for two weeks. After two weeks, you become liable for loan repayments made on your behalf, and these will be based on the length of time you attended the course.

Some of our adult courses are eligible for funding using an Advanced Learner Loan. Please ask us if you would like to find out more.

You will still be required to pay back your loan.

No, but in certain circumstances we may be able to provide some additional help.

No. Your loan application will cover the full length of your course. However, if you are successful in your first year and wish to progress to the second year to top up to an extended diploma, then we ask that you contact the Loans Company to request the additional loan amount.

Yes, providing you haven’t completed your course. Please talk to us if you find yourself in this position, as it will change the way you are paying for your course.

We understand that online applications should be processed in 4-5 working days if they contain all the required information. All other applications should normally be processed within 2-4 weeks.

This is dependent on what course you decide to do with us. Information on fees for your course will be explained to you when you have an interview or enrol.

You can access up to a maximum of four loans. If you start a course and find that you are unable to complete it, you will be able to apply for a loan for the same course if you start it again within a year. You will however be liable for any loan costs incurred. If you're applying for an Access to HE course, you will only be able to apply for one loan.

You’ll need to consider whether it’s the best thing for you in your circumstances. You may wish to seek independent financial advice, for example from the Money Advice Service at moneyadviceservice.org.uk.

This is a scheme that has been introduced by the Government. It’s a loan for learners who are aged 19 and over and covers the cost of course.

Advanced Learner Loans are available when you are studying for eligible Level 3, Level 4, Level 5 or Level 6 courses. We’ve provided some more information on qualifications, but include Certificates, BTEC Extended Diplomas, Access to HE, A Levels and Advanced or Higher Apprenticeships.

 

Need more information? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please talk to us and we can discuss your finance options.

You can apply if you are a UK resident aged 19 or over at the start of an eligible course.

Yes. So long as you are personally eligible and studying for a qualifying level of Apprenticeship you can apply for a loan. You can take out a loan to cover the maximum amount to cover your course fees, or you can pay all or part of the fees yourself.

No, there’s no upper age limit.

Repayments will be automatically deducted from your earnings through the tax system once you’ve left the course. 

Repayments will start from the April following your course and only when your income is more than a certain amount. You can find out more about that on the government website here.

 

There’s no need to repay your loan until then. You can however make voluntary repayments at any time in order to pay off your loan more quickly.

You will stop making repayments.

You have up to 30 years to repay the loan. If you’ve any loan balances remaining after 30 years they will be written off.

This depends on how much you earn over the threshold. The payment is taken from your salary through a scheme called Pay as You Earn (PAYE). The average payment is 9% of income above the threshold. Find out more about the threshold here.

Yes, you can do this by contacting the Student Loans Company direct who will accept any additional payments.

The outstanding loan balance will be written off.

Loan repayments aren’t taken from Pension Income. You will therefore only make repayments if you have other taxable income that is above the threshold

The Retail Price Index, RPI, is a measure of UK inflation. It measures changes to the cost of living in the UK. The UK government uses the rate of RPI for many purposes, including setting the interest rate charged on student loans.