Many colleges are able to offer funded courses if the learner meets certain eligibility requirements such as being unemployed and claiming certain benefits. Many colleges are able to offer bursaries for learners who are on a low income to help cover the costs of course fees, travel and course equipment.
16 to 19 Bursary Fund
If you’re aged 16 to 19 and studying at a publicly funded school or college in England or on a training course, including unpaid work experience, you may be able to get help with lunch, equipment for your course, transport to and from your school or college.
Advanced Learner Loans
Need help with the costs of a course at a college or training provider in England?
Advanced Learner Loans are not means-tested and do not require a credit check, but to be eligible for a loan you must be:
aged 19 or over on the first day of your course
a UK national or have ‘Settled Status’ which means no restrictions on how long you can stay
a resident in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before starting your course
enrolling on a full Level 3 to Level 6 course (A’Levels, BTEC’s Access Courses)
Need a minimum loan of £300
The amount you can get depends on the course you want to take and whether you want to pay for any of the course fee yourself. There is a minimum loan amount of £300.
The loan is designed to pay for part of, or for all of, the course fee for your full Level 3 to 6 course.
Qualifications that you can use the loan for include:
A-Levels (up to four)
Access to Higher Education Diplomas
BTEC and other Diplomas and Certificates
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
The Advanced Learner Loan is similar to existing loans for higher education and is administered by the Student Loans Company (SLC). Once your loan is approved, they will pay the agreed amount to your training provider when you start your course.
You only have to start making repayments in the April after you complete your course and only when you are earning over £27,295 per year. Payments are taken from your earnings through HMRC. Repayments are 9% of anything you earn over the £27,295 threshold.
If your salary falls below the £27,925 threshold, repayments will stop. If you have not repaid your loan within 30 years the outstanding debt will be written off.
For more information about Advanced Learner Loans, click here.
Thinking of going to University?
You may be able to borrow money to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs.
Use the finance calculator to find out how much you could get
It’s also worth looking if there are any bursaries available
In work support for those with learning difficulties or disabilities
Access to Work funding can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
support with managing your mental health at work
money to pay for communication support at job interview
Further sources of funding
There are sometimes charities or trusts who are willing to fund courses for learners who meet their eligibility requirements.
Further information on potential sources of funding can be found here:
Care to Learn
If you’re under 20 you can get help with childcare costs while you’re studying publicly-funded courses in England.
Getting around
Young People aged 16-18 years old, from families on low incomes may be entitled to subsidised transport.
If you have a disability you may be eligible for a free bus pass through the national concessionary scheme.
Read information on Travel Choices locally here.