The Advanced Learner Loan online application service for courses starting from 1 August will be available from 28 June.
Eligible learners will be able to apply online on GOV.UK. Learners will need their Learning and Funding Information Letter (LAFIL) to make an application.
When you issue LAFILs to learners, please tell them that they can only submit applications once the service launches on 28 June. Any applications submitted before this will be marked as ineligible.
Your learners will only be able to apply from 28 June if you have confirmed receipt of your loans facility by returning your signed funding contract to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
You must not issue LAFILs to learners until your loan facility is visible on the Learning Provider Portal. You will shortly be able to see your loans facility in the Loan Facility Details screen under the Financials Home section.
ESFA has updated the suggested LAFIL template for this year. You can view and download the template from GOV.UK.
You can find further information and guidance on our practitioner website. This includes useful tools and materials to help you and your colleagues. Learners can find further information on GOV.UK.
What is the Advanced Learner Loan?
Advanced Learner Loans are there to help learners aged 19 and over to cover the cost of course fees of a level 3, 4, 5 and 6 college or training course. The course must have started on or after 1st August 2016. Your loan application will last for the duration of the course so there is no need to reapply if your course is longer than a year.
Who is eligible?
Learners aged 19 or above (at the start of their course) and who are resident in the UK and studying an eligible Level 3, 4, 5 or 6 course.
Does the loan depend on my income or credit history?
No, the loan doesn’t depend on your income and no credit checks are carried out.
Do I have to take out an Advanced Learner Loan?
No, it’s up to you to decide on your best option, depending on your circumstances.
How much will I get?
The amount you’ll receive depends on:
The minimum loan you can get is £300. You don’t have to borrow the full amount of your course fees, you can pay for some of it yourself.
How many loans can I take out?
Unless you are studying an Access to HE Diploma you are entitled to access up to four loans which you can take out one after the other or at the same time. You can only access one loan to complete the Access to HE Diploma.
How is the loan paid?
The funds are paid directly to the college.
When do I have to pay back my loan?
Repayments don’t start until the April after your course has finished and you don’t have to pay anything back unless you earn more than £25,000 a year. If your income is over £25,000 a year your annual repayments will be 9% of any income you earn over £25,000.
For example:
£15 a month – if you earned £27,000 a year
£37 a month – if you earned £30,000 a year
Repayments are based purely on income, not on the amount borrowed or the number of loans. If your income drops below £25,000 the repayments stop and only re-start if your income increases to more than £25,000. Repayments are taken directly from your wage in the same way as tax. Rates of interest on the loans are lower than anything available from banks.
Bursary fund
If you need help with your learning or living costs, you may also be eligible for money from the Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund. The money can help with things such as: childcare costs*, accommodation, travel, classroom assistance for a learning difficulty or disability, course materials/equipment. You need to apply to the college directly for the Bursary Fund. You can apply once you have received a letter confirming your Advanced Learner Loan.
*Learners aged under 20 on the first day of learning must apply to the ‘care to learn’ programme.
For more information contact our Admissions Team
Tel: 01932 558990
Email: bursary@brooklands.ac.uk
Click here for further information on how to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Means-tested grants towards course-related costs for students meeting the eligibility criteria.
Click here for Students aged 16-19
Click here for Students aged 19+
If you would like to apply, you will need to complete the relevant form.
16-19 Bursary Application Form
19+ Bursary Application Form
Once completed, please email the form to: Bursary@brooklands.ac.uk
If you are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Employment Seekers Allowance (ESA), or currently unemployed, actively seeking work and in receipt of benefits you may be eligible for fee remission (does not apply some courses). You must bring along evidence of receipt of one of the benefits listed below with you when coming to enrol. This evidence must be current and dated within three months of the start of the course.
Benefits to support fee remission – JSA, ESA, Income Support/Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction Benefit, Pension Guarantee Benefit.
Fee remission may also be based upon the highest level of previous qualifications achieved.
Please check your eligibility with our Admissions Team
Tel: 01932 558990
Email: bursary@brooklands.ac.uk
Click here for more information about Financial Advice and Assistance.
There are various grants and allowances available, dependant on your age and circumstances. If you would like to talk to a member of the Admissions team about possible financial support, please contact the Admissions Office at Brooklands College.
Tel: 01932 558990
Email: bursary@brooklands.ac.uk
Students aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August, may be eligible for a daily free meal in the current academic year. Students who are 18 at the start of their course and will 19 during their study programme will remain eligible for a free meal until the end of the academic year, or to the end of their study programme, whichever is sooner.
Students aged between 19 and 24 who are subject to a Learning Difficulty Assessment (LDA) or Education Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan) and ESF students aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August are also entitled to a free meal while attending their course, if they meet the eligibility criteria.
To find out if your child is entitled to free school meals, contact Admissions Bursary Administrator
If you receive any of the following you/your child may be entitled to receive free school meals:
A student is only eligible to receive a free meal when they, or a parent/carer on their behalf, have made a successful application to Brooklands College Bursary. On approval for FSM this will be linked to their Student ID card which they must take to the Refectory to claim their free meal.
Student Finance – Student Loans Company Overview
If you’re studying full-time
You may be eligible for student finance if your course is in the UK and one of the following:
You may be able to borrow money to help pay for university or college tuition fees and to help with living costs.
You might get extra money on top of this, for example if you’re on a low income, are disabled or have children.
If you’re a continuing student or you’ve already created an account, log in to your account.
Before you apply
You start repaying once you earn over a certain amount. The size of your monthly repayments will depend on how much you earn, not what you owe.
You’ll be charged interest on the loan from the day you take it out. The terms and conditions can change.
Student loans: a guide to terms and conditions 2020 to 2021
Student loans: a guide to terms and conditions 2021 to 2022
The rules are different if your course started before September 2012.
Read the student finance privacy notice to find out how the information you provide will be used.
How to apply
Find out how to apply for student finance.
Applying for Student Finance Gov UK – Information
If you’re under 25 and have no contact with your parents, you might be able to apply as an ‘estranged student’.
There’s a different process if you’re a student from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Contact the education authority if you live in the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) or Isle of Man.
You can give someone perm
If you are signing up for an adult learning course you are able to pay in instalments.
The first instalment should include the £25 administration charge. Debit/credit card details must be provided so that instalments can be taken at an arranged date automatically.
Brooklands College cannot arrange payment by instalments retrospectively.
The College commits staffing and resources to courses on the basis of learner enrolments and will only refund fee payments in the following circumstances.
No refunds will be given once the course has commenced, except in exceptional circumstances as outlined in section 2.10 of the College fees policy. No refunds will be given if a learner withdraws their enrolment from the course after their enrolment date or if the College withdraws the offer of a place as a result of disciplinary action or non-attendance on behalf of the learner.
New student support fund from Walton Charity
We are delighted that Walton Charity has provided us with an Opportunities Fund to help students facing financial hardship.
Walton Charity is a local charitable foundation working across Elmbridge. The new Opportunities Fund can support Brooklands College students who live in Elmbridge.
Here are a few examples of the kind of support available:
This list is by no means exhaustive so please contact Brooklands College Admissions Service, Bursary Administrator, Sharon Bosch sharon.bosch@brooklands.ac.uk to find out more or to make an application.
Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Brooklands College Weybridge Campus
Heath Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8TT
Brooklands College Ashford Campus
Stanwell Road, Ashford TW15 3DU
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