Advanced Learning Loans

What are Advanced Learning Loans?

The Advanced Learner Loan scheme is an initiative backed by Government to help those 19 or over to fund training and education programmes. The scheme operates in a similar way to the student loan facility used to fund higher education and is operated jointly by the Skills Funding Agency and the Student Loans Company, under their Student Finance brand.

The loans can be used to fund eligible Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates and Diplomas. Once your loan is approved, your fees will be paid directly to your training provider.

At present, HFE is not supporting the Advanced Learner Loan scheme.

Key Facts

• Repayments are linked to what you earn instead of what you have borrowed.
• You only have to start making repayments when you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over £21,000 a year (which is £404 a week or £1,750 a month). Until then you don’t need to pay back anything, although you can make voluntary repayments at any time.
• You pay 9% of the money you earn over £21,000, before tax. For example, if you earn £22,000 a year, your monthly repayment will be £7 a month; and if you earn £35,000 a year, it will be £105 per month.
• Interest is charged on a sliding scale between the Retail Price Index (RPI) and RPI +3%, depending on how much you earn. For more information on RPI and how this will affect your loan, take a look at the following infographic. 
• You can have multiple loans at the same time, you do not need to wait until you have finished one loan funded course before starting the next.
• You can use an Advanced Learning Loan for qualifications that are at the same level as courses that you’ve previously completed, whether they were funded by Government, an Advanced Learning Loan or by yourself.

Eligible Learners

If you are 19 or over on the day that your training course starts you will be eligible to apply for a loan to pay for your course fees. Because our courses start as soon as you apply, you will likely be eligible to apply now if you are old enough.

There are no credit checks involved in the approval process and the loan does not depend on your household income. Providing that you are applying for an eligible course and that you are over the age of 19, you will likely be eligible.

If you apply for a loan and fail to supply the Student Loans Company with the required information/evidence within 45 days of submitting your application, your request will be cancelled and you will need to re-apply if you want to access the loan to fund your training.

Eligible Courses

The courses in the following table are eligible for support through the Advanced Learner Loan scheme.

Course	Fees	Deposit*	Maximum Loan
Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training	£1,417.00	£250.00	£1,417.00
Level 3 Essentials Personal Training Diploma	£2,200.00	£250.00	£2,225.00
Level 3 Advanced Personal Training Diploma (Exc. L2 Gym Instructor)	£2,225.00	£250.00	£2,225.00
Level 3 Mat Pilates Diploma	£995.00	£150.00	£2,225.00
Level 3 Teaching Yoga Diploma	£1,250.00	£150.00	£2,225.00
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (inc. Anatomy and Nutrition)	£995.00	£250.00	£2,225.00
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (exc. Anatomy and Nutrition)	£495.00	£150.00	£2,225.00
Level 4 Certificate in Exercise for the Management of Lower Back Pain	£565.00	£150.00	£811.00
Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity and Weight Management for Obese and Diabetic Clients	£565.00	£150.00	£811.00

* All deposits are refunded on successful completion of your training.

Loan Repayments

You do not need to start making repayments on your loan until 2016; repayments will also only start when you are earning £21,000 or over.

Repayments are calculated at 9% of your earnings over the £21,000 threshold. The Table below provides a summary of the typical amounts you will be required to pay back once you are earning over £21,000.

Loan Amount	Monthly Repayment
Up to £21,000	£0.00
£22,000	£7.00
£25,000	£30.00
£30,000	£67,00
£35,000	£105.00
£40,000	£142.00

Useful Links:

For more information on the Advanced Learner loan scheme, please refer to the following:


• Advanced Learning Loan Factsheet
• National Careers Service
• Loan Repayment Calculator

Disclaimer

Nothing in this website is intended to constitute financial advice. For impartial information, advice and guidance on financial matters visit the Money Advice Service.