1. SFA Adult Education Budget Advanced Learner Loans
Funding Rules &
Advanced Learner Loans
2016/17
SUMMARY: Version 1

2. Funding Structure: Documents
ESF
rules
Advanced Learner Loans funding rules
Skills Funding Agency: common funding rules
Adult Education Budget funding rules
Apprenticeships: common funding rules
Apprenticeships framework funding rules
Apprenticeship standards
funding rules
Higher Education Institution
rules

3. Funding Table Provision 19-23 year-olds 24+ unemployed 24+ other
English and Maths up to and
including Level 2
Fully funded*
Level 2
(first and full)
Co-funded
Provision to progress to Level 2
Level 3
Loan-funded
Level 3 qualifications
Level 4 qualifications
Level 5 qualifications
Level 6 qualifications
Traineeship
Fully Funded
(including 24- year-olds) NA
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learning up to
and including Level 2
Fully funded
Fully funded – unemployed
Learning aims up to and including Level 2, where the learner has already achieved at Level 2 or above

4. Definition of Unemployed
For funding purposes a learner is defined as unemployed if one or more of the following apply.
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or WRAG
Universal Credit, earn less than 16 times the National Minimum wage per week or £330 a month
Determined by Jobcentre Plus (JCP) as being in one of the following groups:
-All Work Related Activity Group
-Work Preparation Group
-Work Focused Interview Group

5. Discretionary Waiver
State benefits and earn less than 16 times the National Minimum Wage a week or £330 a month
We are satisfied that the learning is directly relevant to their employment prospects and the local labour market needs.

6. Advanced Learner Loans
Advanced Learner Loans will replace 24+ Advanced Learning Loans
The availability of loans at level 3 does not replace an individual aged 19 to 23’s legal entitlement to full funding for a first full level 3
Minimum loan value £300
Access to HE Diploma >> Completes the course >>Progresses to HE >> Loan written off

7. Advanced Learner Loan: Eligibility
Aged 19 or older on their first day of their learning aim
Studying in England with a provider in receipt of a loan facility
Studying one or more approved learning aims at level 3,4,5 and 6
Applications for the loans can be made from May 2016 for courses starting from 1 August 2016

8. Provision 19-23 year-olds 24+ unemployed 24+ other
English and maths up to and
including Level 2
Fully funded*
Level 2
(first and full)
Co-funded
Provision to progress to Level 2
Level 3
Loan-funded
Level 3 qualifications
Level 4 qualifications
Level 5 qualifications
Level 6 qualifications
Traineeship
Fully Funded
(including 24- year-olds) NA
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learning up to and including Level 2
Fully funded
Fully funded – unemployed
Learning aims up to and including Level 2, where the learner has already achieved at Level 2 or above