Financial Support

Generally home students (resident in UK or European Economic Area for at least 3 years) who are under 19 years of age at the start of their course do not have to pay towards the cost of your course, provided that the course is classed as full-time. Students with a current EHCP under the age of 25 are also exempt from course fees. You may however be required to pay for the cost of resources specifically needed for your course, such as books, uniform, equipment, or tools.

If you are a home student (resident in UK or European Economic Area for at least 3 years) and are 19-23 when starting a college course, you will be asked to pay course fees, unless you fit into one of the following categories.

First level 2 qualification

Students aged 19-23 may be eligible for a waiver of course fees if they are studying their first government-designated full level 2 qualification. This waiver may also be available for students who are studying an Entry Level or Level 1 course with the intention of progressing to Level 2.

Unemployed and low wage workers

Students aged 19-23 who already have a full level 2 qualification and are either unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits, or who earn less than £20,319 annual gross salary, may be eligible for a waiver of tuition and/or exam fees.

Subsidised courses

Students aged 19-23 who already have a full level 2 qualification, and who are not categorised as unemployed or low wage, will pay the published fees for courses at level 2 or below.

First level 3 qualification

Students aged 19-23 may be eligible for waiver of course fees if they are studying their first government-designated full level 3 qualification, such as A Levels, T Levels or Level 3 qualifications.

‘National Skills offer’

Students aged 19+ may be eligible for a waiver of course fees if they are studying a level 3 course which is on the government’s ‘National Skills Offer’ list. To find out whether your course is on the National Skills Offer list contact your college or training provider.

In addition to any course fee, you may also be required to pay for the cost of resources specifically needed for your course, such as books, uniform, equipment, or tools.

Advanced Learner Loan for Level 3 courses

If you do not qualify for one of the waivers above, an Advanced Learner Loan can cover the cost of course fees and you don’t need to start repayments until you earn over £25,000. The Advanced Learner Loan is provided by the government and is not means tested, subject to any credit checks and does not take your current employment status into account.

Eligibility: You can usually apply for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are:

• aged 19+ on the first day of the course
• enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6
• are a UK national or have been living in the UK for 3 years and have ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled status’.

Apply: The first step is to check with the college that the course you are applying for is eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. You can then apply for the course and the college will issue you with a Learning and Funding Information letter, along with your offer of a place. You’ll then need to register and apply online via gov.uk.

The loan: The loan will be deducted automatically through the tax system once you are earning over £25,000. The amount you repay will depend on how much you earn, for example:

• if you earn £27,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £15 a month
• if you earn £30,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £37 a month

You can also borrow a proportion of the course cost and pay for the rest yourself. The minimum loan amount is £300.

If you are a home student (resident in UK or European Economic Area for at least 3 years) and are 24 or over when you start your course, will normally have to pay course fees. There are some exceptions listed below:

• Students who are unemployed and in receipt of certain benefits
• Students who earn less than £20,319 annual gross salary
• Students whose course meets the ‘National Skills Offer’ – a Level 3 course on the government’s list of in-demand skills. To find out whether your course is on the National Skills Offer list please contact the college you are applying for directly.

In addition to any course fee, you may also be required to pay for the cost of resources specifically needed for your course, such as books, uniform, equipment, or tools.

Advanced Learner Loan for Level 3 courses

If you do not qualify for one of the waivers above, an Advanced Learner Loan can cover the cost of course fees and you don’t need to start repayments until you earn over £25,000. The Advanced Learner Loan is provided by the government and is not means tested, subject to any credit checks and does not take your current employment status into account.

Eligibility: You can usually apply for an Advanced Learner Loan if you are:

• aged 19+ on the first day of the course
• enrolling on an eligible course at Level 3, 4, 5 or 6
• are a UK national or have been living in the UK for 3 years and have ‘pre-settled’ or ‘settled status’.

Apply: The first step is to check with the college that the course you are applying for is eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. You can then apply for the course and the college will issue you with a Learning and Funding Information letter, along with your offer of a place. You’ll then need to register and apply online via gov.uk.

The loan: The loan will be deducted automatically through the tax system once you are earning over £25,000. The amount you repay will depend on how much you earn, for example:

• if you earn £27,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £15 a month
• if you earn £30,000 per year, your monthly repayments will be £37 a month

You can also borrow a proportion of the course cost and pay for the rest yourself. The minimum loan amount is £300.