Advanced Learner Loan

Are you aged 19 or older* and thinking about further education? With an Advanced Learner Loan, there are no upfront costs and you won't start to pay anything back until you earn at least £25,000 a year.

The Advanced Learner Loan helps you to pay the tuition fees charged by colleges and training organisations. Most learners aged 19 or older studying a course at level 3 and above will qualify for these loans from the UK government.

It’s easy to apply, your household income isn’t taken into account and there’s no credit check. You won’t have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000 a year. And if the course you are taking is an Access to Higher Education diploma, if you go on to complete a higher education course (e.g. degree) afterwards, you won’t need to pay off the Advanced Learner Loan.

• What is an advanced learner loan?

  It is a student loan scheme introduced by the government to help students aged 19 and older pay the tuition fees for courses at level 3 and 4.  

• Am I eligible?

  To qualify, you must be:

  • aged 19 or older at the start of your course*
  • living continuously in the UK for the 3 years before the first day of your course^†
  • enrolling on an eligible course at level 3, 4 or 5 (includes A-levels, Access to Higher Education diplomas and other diplomas or certificates)

  * You may be able to receive your course for free if you are aged 19 - 23 and you do not already have a level 3 (or higher) qualification.

  ^† You may also be eligible if you have been living in the EU, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for the previous 3 years. For full details on nationality / residency eligiblity, please click here. 

• How do I apply?

  All applications are made directly to Student Finance England (SFE) on their website. Once you’ve been offered a place on your course, the college will send you a learning and funding information sheet, which you will need to complete and an application for a loan.

  You will not be able to complete an application without being offered a place on your course or without this information.

  If it’s close to the start of your course and you have not yet received a learning and funding information sheet, please contact the student services team on 01553 815271.

  For more information about the Advanced Learner Loan, click here.

• What does the loan cover?

  The Advanced Learner Loan covers the tuition fees (including any exam and essential equipment and material fees) of your course. You can either apply to cover the full tuition fee or a partial amount. These amounts will be listed on your learning and funding information sheet. If your household income is below £45,000 per annum, you may also be able to get help with the cost of childcare, travel and/or accommodation from our financial support scheme.

• Is there an upper age limit to the loan?

  No, there is no upper age limit.

• Does my income or credit history affect my eligibility?

  Your income and credit score will not affect your application and will not affect the amount of loan you are entitled to.

• How and when do i have to pay back the loan?

  You will not be asked to start making repayments until after your course and only if your income is over £25,000 a year. You would then be required to pay 9% of any income you earn over £25,000.

  If you are studying an Access to Higher Education qualification and then progress onto and complete a Higher Education degree (either at CWA or elsewhere) you will not be required to pay back the remaining amount of the loan.

• I'm not sure what to do and would like financial advice

  Before making a decision it is important you consider your own circumstances and look into all options. You can access free independent financial advice from the Money Advice Service.

Applying for an Advanced Learner Loan

You can apply online for an Advanced Learner Loan here. Learners can complete an online application or download an application form for completion. To complete your application you will need the information provided on your course offer and 'Learning and Funding information' letter.

If you are aged 24 or above and are due to study a level 3 course, this will be sent to you when applications open at the end of June.

If you are aged 19-23, we will still send you the Learning and Funding Information Letter but it's important that you complete our fee calculator as, if you are aged 19-23 and yet to complete a full level 3 course (or above) you may be eligible to receive your course for free.

If you do not wish to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan and intend to pay the full course fees yourself please contact student services on 01553 815271 as the costs vary for each course. Please be aware that different payment options are available.