Adult Funding Guidance

STUDY ELIGIBILITY

Adult learners can access adult English and Mathematics at either Functional Skills or GCSE level. This will be determined by existing qualification level held and current ability which will be determined by undertaking a diagnostic assessment.

Tuition Fees

All adult learners are entitled to free tuition when studying a Functional Skill or GCSE English or Mathematics qualification as long as they have not already achieved a pass at the same level (Functional Skill) or grade A*-C or 9-4 in GCSE.

Fees & Supporting Information 2020-2021

Please note the course fees detailed below only apply to UK/EU residents. For International students an hourly rate will apply.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY

Places on Entry/Level 1 courses are subject to individual circumstances for adult learners and may not be available/suitable for all learners. Curriculum staff will make you aware of these limitations at Applicant Events.

Tuition fees

Students eligible to join Entry/Level 1 courses (not including ESOL – See separate ESOL Page) will be eligible for full funding if they do not already hold a full level 2 qualification. There will be a disclaimer to sign as part of the enrolment paperwork advising of your intent to ideally progress to a Level 2 course (where available) in the same subject area. Loughborough College can then use this to claim full funding on your behalf, making the course tuition fee free.

Unemployed and in receipt of benefits

Adult learners who are unemployed and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group Only) or Universal Credits will be eligible for full funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. In addition, any adult learner in receipt of any other state benefits who also earns less than £338 a month (where learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £541 a month (where learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner) who wants to secure employment, is actively looking for work, and where this course will help them to get a job, is also eligible for full funding. There will be a disclaimer to sign as part of the enrolment paperwork. Loughborough College can then use this to claim full funding on your behalf, making the course tuition fee free.

Employed and in receipt of low wage

Adult learners who are employed but cannot contribute towards the cost of tuition fees may be eligible for full funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. To be eligible you would need to be earning less than £17,004 annual gross salary. You would need to evidence this with a wage slip dated within 3 months of the enrolment start date or by providing us with a copy of a current employment contract which clearly states gross monthly/annual wages. The college will need to retain a copy of this evidence.

Study eligibility

Places on Level 2 courses are subject to individual circumstances for adult learners and may not be available/suitable for all learners. Curriculum staff will make you aware of these limitations at Applicant Events.

Tuition fees

First Full Level 2. Adult learners aged 19-23 as at 31st August 2020 who will be completing a full qualification at Level 2 for the first time may be able to claim full funding from the Skills Funding Agency if they enrol on an eligible course. There will be a disclaimer to sign as part of the enrolment paperwork. Loughborough College can then use this to claim full funding on your behalf, making the course tuition fee free.

Unemployed and in receipt of benefits

Adult learners who are unemployed and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance (Work Related Activity Group Only) or Universal Credits will be eligible for full funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. In addition, any adult learner in receipt of any other state benefits who also earns less than £338 a month (where learner is sole adult in their benefit claim) or £541 a month (where learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner) who wants to secure employment, is actively looking for work, and where this course will help them to get a job, is also eligible for full funding. There will be a disclaimer to sign as part of the enrolment paperwork. Loughborough College can then use this to claim full funding on your behalf, making the course tuition fee free.

Employed and in receipt of low wage

Adult learners who are employed but cannot contribute towards the cost of tuition fees may be eligible for full funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency. To be eligible you would need to be earning less than £17,004 annual gross salary. You would need to evidence this with a wage slip dated within 3 months of the enrolment start date or by providing us with a copy of a current employment contract which clearly states gross monthly/annual wages. The college will need to retain a copy of this evidence.

Study eligibility

Places on Level 3 courses tend to be subject to more stringent entry criteria, but are more readily accessible to adult learners. Funding is slightly different at Level 3 as there are some differences based on age, which we will cover below.

tuition fees – 19-23 year old

STUDY ELIGIBILITY

Places on Further Education courses at Level 4 and above tend to be subject to more stringent entry criteria, but are more readily accessible to adult learners. From September 2016 the Government extended the Advanced Learner Loans to incorporate learners aged 19 and over studying eligible Further Education qualifications at Levels 4/5/6. Learners will be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan which will cover all or part of the tuition fee costs for the qualification they wish to study. Learners can choose to selffund and pay these costs themselves should they not wish to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.