Advanced Learner Loans
Learners aged 19 or over can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to help pay the fees charged by colleges and training providers for courses at Level 3 and above. (Learners aged 19-23 without a first full Level 3 will still qualify for fee remission for a Level 3 course as this will still be funded by the Government.)
If you take out a loan to pay your fees for a Access to HE Diploma and then go on to complete a degree, your Advanced Learner Loan is written off, and you don't have to pay it back.
Getting a Loan doesn't depend on your household income and there's no credit check. You won't have to pay anything back until you're earning over £25,000 a year. Once you earn over this amount you pay back 9% of the earnings you receive above this figure. The minimum loan amount is £300.
Do I qualify?
To qualify you must be:
- Aged 19 or over on the first day of your course (there's no upper age-limit).
- Living in the UK on the first day of your course and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this.
- Studying with a college or training organisation in England approved for public funding.
- Enrolling on an eligible course at level 3 and above which includes: A levels, Access to HE Diplomas, and other Diplomas and Certificates.
How does it work?
The applications, assessment, payments and repayments of loans will be administered by Student Finance England. The same organisation provides financial support for HE students. The loan will be paid directly to your college or training provider to cover the fees charged for your course.
Loan repayments are collected through the tax system and will only start when the individual has left their course, entered repayment and is earning more than £25,000 a year. Any outstanding balance on a loan will be written off after 30 years.
Applying is easy
You can apply for a loan now for 2018-2019 courses.
We will provide you with the essential information you will need from us to complete your application, such as the course fees and course start and end dates. Please note you should contact the centre you intend to study at to get the information you will need to apply for a loan for one of their courses, as the information is different for each provider.
You can find more information and apply online on the Advanced Learner Loans webpage.
You could also speak to us for advice by phoning 0191 277 3520 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Making the right choice
It is important you consider your own circumstances and look into all options for paying for your course before choosing to take out a loan.
You can get independent financial advice from the Money Advice Service.
Find a course today!
Prevent Duty
All Further Education providers have a duty to safeguard their learners and keep them safe from being exploited by extremists. The Prevent Duty is not about discouraging our learners from having political and religious views and concerns, but about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways.
Prevent Duty: If you Notice anything unusual, Check it out and them Share it by contacting 0191 277 3502 or email Julie.hickin@newcastle.gov.uk remember – Notice – Check – Share. Here is a link to our Prevent animation
Newcastle City Council (which Newcastle City Learning are part of) also have a generic email address which you can also use to report any concerns you may have about Prevent: prevent@newcastle.gov.uk
Reporting Incidents of Hate Crime: Stop Hate UK. There’s a 24hr hotline on (Freephone) 0800 138 1625. People can text on 0771 798 9025. Online reports can also be taken at www.stophateuk.org.
Stay with us in the New Year and take up one of the many progression opportunities available to you. Our latest brochure is available now! Your tutor will speak to you about follow on courses and your next steps too.
Our new learner handbook is now available here (pdf 1.81MB). Packed full of useful information about the service, we hope you will find it helpful. We'll cover a lot of the topics during our new induction process too, and you will be given a copy of the handbook to take away with you at the start of your course.
There have been changes to how education courses are funded for learners over 19 years old. Level 3 and above courses will no longer be funded by the Government (unless you are aged 19-23 years old and it is your first full Level 3 qualification) but you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your course fees.
If this loan is to fund an Access to HE Diploma leading to a completed degree, your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off so you don't have to pay it back.
It doesn't matter about your household income or even credit checks to qualify for a loan, and you don't have to pay anything back until you are earning over £21,000 a year.
Loans are available for people living in the UK on the first day of their course and have lived in this country, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this.
Talk to our centre reception staff to get more details and your course offer letter which will have the information you will need to complete your loan application.