Advanced
Learner
Loan

Have you heard about the Advanced Learner Loan?

The Advanced Learner Loan is a government-funded loan to help learners. It’s easy to apply for, doesn’t take your household income into account and doesn’t involve a credit check.

Here are some key facts about the loan:

Repayments are linked to what you earn and not how much you borrowed.

You only have to start making repayments when you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over £27,295 a year (which is £511.00 a week or £2,214 a month). Until then you don’t need to pay back anything, but you can make voluntary repayments at any time.

You pay 9% of the money you earn over £27,295, before tax. For example, if you earn £28,800 a year, your monthly repayment will be £16 a month; and if you earn £30,000 a year, it will be £32.00 per month.

Interest is charged on a sliding scale between the Retail Price Index (RPI) and RPI +3%, depending on how much you earn.

You may qualify for the Advanced Learner Loan to help pay for your course tuition fees.

This scheme has been introduced by the government to help learners over the age of 19 study for qualifications at Level 3 and above that will improve their employability and develop high-level skills and knowledge.

The availability of loans at Level 3 does not replace an individual aged 19 to 23’s legal entitlement to full funding for a first full Level 3.

This page covers the key information and frequently asked questions in relation to the loan, eligibility and how it works.

Advanced Learner Loans FAQs

Am I eligible?
When can I apply?
How do I apply?
How much can I borrow?
How many loans can I take out?
How do I repay the Advanced Learner Loan?
How much will my repayments be?
How is the Interest Rate Calculated on my loan?
What is RPI?
Before taking out any loan seek Professional Advice
Am I eligible?

To be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan you must:

  • Be aged 19 and over at the start of your course
  • Be studying an eligible course to Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 (including QCF Certificates and Diplomas, Access to Higher Education, A Levels (maximum of four), Advanced and Higher apprenticeships
  • Be a resident in the UK (meeting Student Finance England nationality or residency status)
When can I apply?

You can apply for a learning loan once you have received your ‘Learning and Funding Information Letter’ which gives you the course information you will need to apply for a learning loan.

You will also be required to provide personal information.

Further information is on the gov.uk website or you can contact Student Finance England online or by telephone on 0300 100 0607.

How do I apply?

The easiest way is to apply online or you can download an application form to complete and send to Student Finance England, however, this can take longer.

Before applying for a loan you may wish to seek advice from the following sources:

  • The Money Advice Service
  • National Careers Service
  • FE Choices
How much can I borrow?

The Skills Funding Agency determines the maximum loan amount for each qualification it funds.

In some cases there may be a shortfall which you will have to pay if the cost of the course exceeds the maximum loan amount.

This information will be in your ‘Learning and Funding Information Letter’.

The minimum amount you can borrow is £300.

How many loans can I take out?

You can only take out one loan at a time, but you can have up to a maximum of four loans in total.

Please note: You cannot take out a loan to repeat a similar course at the same level.

How do I repay the Advanced Learner Loan?

You won’t have to pay anything back until you are earning over £27,295 a year. Interest on the loan will be at the rate set by the Student Loans Company which will be lower than anything available from the high street.

Learners who take out an Advanced Learner Loan for an Access to HE course may be able to get the balance of the Advanced Learner Loan for the Access course written off after completing a designated and prescribed Higher Education course.

Further information is available at studentloanrepayment.co.uk.

How much will my repayments be?

9% of your income over the £27,295 threshold. For example, if you earn £28,800 a year, your monthly repayment will be £16 a month

More information on the Advanced Learner Loan is available from the Government website.

How is the Interest Rate Calculated on my loan?

You‘re charged interest from the day your first payment is made until your loan is repaid in full. Interest is added to the total amount you owe every month.

The interest rate is based on the UK Retail Price Index (RPI) and will vary depending on your circumstances.

The interest rate is updated once a year in September, using the RPI from March of that year.

What is RPI?
Your circumstances Interest rate
Whilst studying and until the April after leaving the course RPI plus 3% (6.3%)
From 6 April after leaving your course until the loan is repaid in full Variable rate dependent upon income. RPI (3.3%) where income is £25,000 or less, rising on a sliding scale up to RPI plus 3% (6.3%) where income is £45,000 or more
If you don’t respond to our requests for information or evidence RPI plus 3%,(6.3%) irrespective of income, until we have all the information we need
Before taking out any loan seek Professional Advice

Before taking out a loan you should always seek professional advice.  You can get help and money advice from the Money Advice Service or by visiting their website at: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-work-out-the-true-cost-of-borrowing

You can also find out more information about Advanced Learner Loans, making repayments and the rate of interest on your loan by visiting: https://www.slc.co.uk/students-and-customers/loan-repayment/interest-rates.aspx or by downloading the guide at https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan/how-to-apply

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