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Advanced Learner Loan
19 + Advanced Learner Loans
The cost of studying as an adult or returning to study can be a concern – but an Advanced Learner Loan may be able to cover the full tuition fee of your course. The Advanced Learner Loan can help you to realise your ambitions and reach your intended destination with HRC.
If you’re aged 19 or over and want to study an Access to Higher Education Diploma, or a Level 3 to 6 Vocational Qualification, you may need to pay us for the cost of your course.
The Advanced Learner Loan is a government-funded loan to help learners. It’s easy to apply for, doesn’t take your household income into account and doesn’t involve a credit check.
Here are some key facts about the loan:
You’ll be due to start repaying your loan in the April after you complete or leave your course.
You’ll only start making repayments when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year. If your income falls below these thresholds, repayments will stop and only re-start when your income is over these thresholds.
You can make voluntary repayments at any time to pay off your loans more quickly.
HOW WILL I PAY BACK THE LOAN?
Repayments are based on your income, not on what you borrow or the number of student loans you have. This is known as an ‘income contingent’ repayment.
You’ll repay 9% of your income over £27,295 a year. Even if your income doesn’t exceed £27,295 a year but is over £524 a week or £2,274 a month at any point in the year (e.g. if you work overtime) then a loan deduction will be made.
For example, if you’re paid monthly and earn £2,500 before tax you’d repay 9% of the difference between what you earn and what the threshold is:
£2,500 - £2,274 = £226
9% of £226 = £20.34
So your student loan repayment would be £20 in that month.
19+ Advanced Learner Loans – FAQ
Am I eligible for a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan?
Anyone who is aged 19 Years or over could qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. The scheme has also been expanded to cover not only level three and level four courses, but also some level five and level six courses.
To qualify for a loan, you must be aged 19 or over, living in the UK on the first day of your course and you must have been living in the UK for at least three years.
To be eligible for a loan you need to be a UK national or have ‘settled status’, meaning there are no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK.
What courses can I do at HRC?
The loan covers a range of courses including Access to Higher Education, Certificates, Diplomas and more. Apprentices may also be able to apply for a loan if they take applicable courses in addition to their apprenticeship programme.
For more information on courses offered by Hertford Regional College please click here
Can I get a loan if I already have a similar qualification?
Yes, any qualifications you have already achieved will not affect your ability to apply for your first loan.
However, once you have taken out one loan you will not be able to get another loan for the same type of course at the same level. For example, if you have taken out a loan to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Sports Science you could not take out another loan for a Level 3 Diploma in Construction but you could take out another loan for a Level 4 Certificate in Sports Science.
How many loans can I take out?
You can take out up to four Advanced Learner Loans in total, but for courses which are not A Levels you can only take out one loan at a time.
How much money can I borrow?
The minimum Advanced Learner Loan is £300 and the maximum you can borrow will depend on the cost of your course.
How do I apply?
To apply for a course you can apply online or fill out an application form by visiting our Information Centres at our Broxbourne or Ware campuses.
After submitting your application, the Student Loans Company will assess you and they will contact you and the College once you have fulfilled the criteria.
For more information call the Information Team at HRC on 01992 411 411.
What information do I need to make an application?
You will need details of the course you want to study, the fee you are being charged and the amount of loan you want to take out.
You will also have to provide your personal details, including your National Insurance number and evidence to confirm your identity (e.g. a valid UK passport).
The College can provide you with a letter with the course details and fee’s that the Student Loans Company need to see. Pop into the Information Centre at one of our campuses to find out more.
How will I pay back the loan?
You do not have to pay back any of your loan until you are earning more than £21,000.
Once you begin earning £21,000 loan repayments will be automatically deducted from your salary at a rate of 9 per cent. For example, if your income is £22,000 you will pay back 9 per cent of £1,000, which works out at £7.50 each month.
If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan for an access to higher education course and go on to complete a higher education course your loan will be wiped off completely and you will not have to pay it back.
For more information, click here.
Note: The fees quoted on this website are a general guide only and may be subject to change.
Disability Confident Employer
Hertford Regional College uses the Disability Confident Employer symbol which is awarded by Jobcentre Plus.
As a Disability Confident Employer we:
- have undertaken and successfully completed the Disability Confident self-assessment
- are taking all of the core actions to be a Disability Confident Employer
- are offering at least one activity to get the right people for our business and at least one activity to keep and develop our people.
Adults
As a community college we are committed to providing lifelong learning for everyone. Our wide variety of courses and qualifications offer flexibility and supportive environments.
Whether you want to enhance your career with a professional course, achieve a university-level qualification or learn a new hobby with our leisure courses, we will have something to suit your goals.
Part-Time Courses and Qualifications
Our part-time courses are a mix of professional and leisure, from Accountancy to Electrical, Floristry to Cake Decorating - and everything in between! You will have the opportunity to add a new qualification to your CV, build your workplace skills, learn a new hobby or build on something you're already good at.
Higher Education Courses
Our Higher Education courses are university-level qualifications starting at Level 4 and going up to Level 6. They are available in a wide range of subject areas and our Foundation Degrees are validated by the University of Hertfordshire. We are proud to have been given a Silver Award by the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) which highlights the quality of our Higher Education teaching.
Access to HE
Access courses are ideal for adults aged 19+ who would like to return to learning or who may not have sufficient qualifications to apply to a university. These courses can therefore provide you with a qualification that will help you access and pursue Higher Education options, including degrees.
Open Days
A great way to get to know us better is by coming along to one of our Open Days. You will have to opportunity to see our campuses, meet the lecturers who would be teaching you and ask any questions you might have about our courses.
Our Study Programmes
If you plan to study full-time at the college you will take on a study programme.
We use this name as study programmes are designed to provide you with a whole set of skills beyond just a qualification. Unlike A Levels, study programmes offer you a package of opportunities to help you develop independently.
Our study programmes give you everything you need to reach your career destination:
- A qualification that will stretch you
- Maths and English classes for everyone who hasn't yet achieved a GCSE Level 4 or above
- Work experience opportunities to help you build employability skills
- Development days which will help you build professional and personal skills
Our study programmes are also a good route to university as many of our diploma courses are at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels). We also offer Higher Education in a growing number of subjects.
If you have a learning difficulty or disability; we have a team that will help you to make sure everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their best.
Click here to see our wide range of full-time study programmes or for further information contact us on 01992 411411 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
School leavers
Making the decision to leave school is your first step towards independence. So why should you study at HRC?
As well as having the TEF Silver Award for our Higher Education provision, HRC is proud to be ranked amongst all other FE Colleges nationally as being*:
*Data taken from the National Achievement Rate Tables 2018 & 2019 (as appropriate)
- Top 10 colleges in the country for overall student achievement (all ages) in Retail and Commercial Enterprise
- Top 15 colleges in the country for overall 19+ student achievement in Languages, Literature and Culture
- Top 20 colleges in the country for overall student achievement (all ages) in Leisure, Travel and Tourism
- Top 30 colleges in the country for 16 to 18 student achievement in Arts, Media and Publishing
- Top 25 colleges in the country for student achievement by learners who have declared a learning difficulty and/or disability (all ages)
Whether you are looking at Hertford Regional College as a step forward towards a successful career, retraining, progression to university or to pursue an area of interest, HRC has something for you. We offer a wide range of full and part-time courses, Apprenticeships and professional and leisure courses.
Please take a look at the menu on the right hand side and explore our website and opportunities further.
