Advanced Learner Loan
Studying with Step Into Learning is hugely rewarding and we don’t want money worries to hold you back. This page provides details of the Advanced Learner Loan which is available for some of our L3 and L4 courses.
Advanced Learner Loans
Advanced Learner Loans are here to help any learner aged 19+ to cover course fees for Level 3 and above, so you don’t have to worry about paying for your course upfront. There is no means testing or formal credit check, and once you are approved, your fees are paid directly to us. You only need to start paying back the loan once you find full time employment and earn an income over the UK repayment threshold. To qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan you must:
- be aged 19 or over at the start of your course
- be a resident in the UK for three years
- have not previously had a loan to do the same course (including any Access to HE course), subject or level and be studying a course at Level 3 or above
Loan Repayment
Learners who started their course on 1 August 2024, or after, will be subject to a Plan 5 repayment plan. Once learners have completed their course, they’ll repay when their income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year.
Further information about repayment and interest rates for both current and new learners is available on the SFE Practitioner website. This can be found in the Repayment – Advanced Learner Loan quick guide or on the academic year 2024/25 section of the supporting materials page of the Student Finance England website.
Applying for a Loan
Once you’ve completed your application form and been accepted on the course by the lead tutor, we will issue you with an Advanced Loan letter which contains all the information you will need to apply for a loan. The Advanced Learner Loan helpline is contactable on 0300 100 0619 if you need extra help.
Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund
Learners aged 19+ who have been approved for an Advanced Learner Loan may also be eligible to apply for extra financial support from the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund.
The Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund (ALLBF) is used to assist learners who may have difficulties in accessing and completing their course because of personal financial circumstance. Due to the limited nature of the fund, no help can be given with tuition fees or accommodation costs.
Support offered may reflect length of course, number of guided learning hours and level of household income. Your household income must be below £25,521 gross to be eligible to apply for this fund
Applications will only be accepted when fully complete and all relevant evidence provided. Do not send originals as these will not be returned.
The funds are limited and are not guaranteed.
If your course is for more than one year, then you will need to reapply each academic year. Please read our policy and guidance document and complete our application returning to jo.tucker@stepintolearning.org.uk with all the relevant evidence should you wish to apply.
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Call us on: 01566 770729
Or email us at: info@stepintolearning.org.uk