24+ Advanced Learning Loans Eligibility Rules - a recap. Skills Funding Agency. 3 rd July Welcome

Transcription

1 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Eligibility Rules - a recap Skills Funding Agency 3 rd July 2013 Welcome

2 Key Facts 24+ Advanced Learning Loans (Loans) have been introduced for learning beginning in the 2013/14 academic year Available for learners: aged 24 and above at the start of the course studying at advanced or higher levels Not means-tested and not subject to credit checks Student Loans Company, under Student Finance England (SFE) brand will administer Loans Loans paid directly to the approved provider not via the learner Individuals who progress from an Access to HE Diploma course to complete an HE programme can have their outstanding 24+ Advanced Learning Loan for the Access course written off.

3 Learners Loans are available for: Learners aged 24 and over are resident in the UK and undertaking eligible provision at an approved college or training organisation in England have not previously had a Loan to do the same qualification type and level of qualification. Exemptions Trade union representatives studying Trade Union Congress learning aims and; ex-military personnel. In this case, we have an agreement with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to fund ex-military personnel for their first full level-3 qualification.

4 Qualifications The Skills Funding Agency publishes information on all eligible qualifications in the Qualification Catalogue. For 24+ Advanced Learning Loans these include: Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Access to HE Diplomas Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3 Certificates QCF Level 3 Diplomas QCF Level 4 Certificates QCF Level 4 Diplomas A-levels/AS/A2s Advanced Apprenticeship Frameworks, and Higher Apprenticeship Frameworks.

5 Providers In order to offer 24+ Advanced Learning Loans funding to individuals providers will be approved on the Agency's Training Organisation Register Be in receipt of an Adult Skills Budget (ASB) contract The Agency has published a list of those providers who have a Loans facility on the Agency s website. Subcontracting arrangements Subject to normal Agency rules All Agency and SLC engagement will be through the prime/lead provider. Subcontractors should discuss Loans with their relevant lead provider.

6 Number of Loans A maximum of four Loans over a lifetime. The four Loans can be used for any combination of the eligible qualifications Only one Loan for each qualification type Only access one Loan at anytime The only exception to this rule is in the case of AS/A2/A levels where an individual is entitled to make a Loan application for each separate AS/A2/A level, up to a maximum of 4. These applications can be made at the same time or one after the other.

7 Loan Funding The Loan is intended to fund all costs and charges for items which a learner cannot complete their course without. Loans will be equal to, or less than, the Skills Funding Agency published funding rate, with a minimum value of 300. For Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships the Loan is available for up to 50% of the total rate to reflect the contribution from employers.

8 Evidence Required In addition to the Learning Agreement, the Agency will require evidence of a completed Learning and Funding Information Letter for each learner. The letter provides the individual with: Information about the course and cost of their studies Detail on how to pay Where to find further information What to do if they wish to apply for a Loan. Without the letter individuals will be unable to apply. Template letters are available via the Micro-site

9 Some examples

10 Number of Loans Learner Loan 1 Loan 2 Loan 3 Loan 4 Brian Sam Laura QCF L4 Certificate in Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship in Plumbing Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative Design Jacob A combination of A- Levels App 1- AS Maths App 2 - A2 French App 3 - A-Level Spanish App 4 - A-Level English Freya QCF L4 Certificate in Tourism Services Access to HE QCF L3 Certificate in Business Administration QCF L3 Diploma in Graphic Design Higher Apprenticeship in Hairdressing QCF L4 Diploma in Business Studies QCF L3 Diploma in Electrical Engineering QCF L3 Diploma in Starting your own Business QCF L3 Diploma in Design Management QCF L3 Diploma in Beauty QCF L3 Diploma in Construction QCF L4 Diploma in Engineering Higher Apprenticeship in Plumbing QCF L3 Certificate in Management A combination of A-levels AS Science Access to HE Diploma

11 Brian Loan 1 Loan 2 Loan 3 Loan 4 Loan 5 QCF L4 Certificate in Engineering Access to HE QCF L3 Diploma in Electrical Engineering QCF L4 Diploma in Engineering A-Level in Maths Having successfully accessed four loans Brian applies for a fifth to complete his A-level. Brian has accessed his maximum entitlement of four loans and the application is therefore declined.

12 Sam Application 4 Application 5 Higher Apprenticeship in Plumbing Higher Apprenticeship in Plumbing Sam is made redundant before the completion of his Higher Apprenticeship in Plumbing and cannot find a job to complete his framework. The loan is suspended for 12 months and payments to the provider stopped. After 12months Sam has not found suitable employment, the learning is assumed to be terminated and the loan moves into repayment. Sam is liable for the loan payments made to date. 18 months later Sam gains employment with another organisation who will support the completion of his Higher Apprenticeship. Under compelling personal reasons and subject to suitable evidence the SLC will approve another Loan for the continuation of the same framework.

13 Freya Loan 1 Loan 2 Loan 3 Loan 4 Loan 5 QCF L4 Certificate in Tourism Services QCF L4 Diploma in Business Studies QCF L3 Diploma in Construction Access to HE Diploma A combination of A- Levels Maths French After 8 weeks of starting the Access to HE Diploma Freya decides she has made a mistake and chosen the wrong course. Freya chooses to withdraw from the learning and the Loan payments to the provider are stopped. Freya is liable for the Loan payments made to date. In discussion with the college Freya identifies a combination of A-Levels would be more suitable for her needs. Freya is able to use a fifth and final loan to support her completion of a programme of A-levels.

14 Recap

15 Quick Fire. 1. Loans are available for individuals aged? 2. True or False an individual can access a Loan for a QCF Level 5 Certificate in Hair and Beauty? 3. An individual can access up to how many Loans? 4. What does the learner need from their provider to apply for a Loan? 5. True or False a credit check is carried out before the Loan is approved?

16 Quick Fire. 6. Is a Loan mandatory? 7. Can an individual get a Loan from any provider? 8. True or False a Loan for an Advanced Apprenticeship can be written off if the learner progresses into Higher Education? 9. What is the minimum Loan value available? 10. True or False a learner who has had a HE Loan is not eligible for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan?

17 Eligible or Not? Sunita has previously funded the programmes below with Loans, she now wishes to undertake a Level 4 Certificate in Hair Colour and Colour Correction could she fund this with another Loan? Level 3 Certificate in Hairdressing (combined hair types) Level 4 Diploma in Management Practice and Advanced Techniques in the Hair and Beauty Sector Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing for Cutting and Styling Technicians

18 Eligible or Not? Felicity has previously funded the programmes below and now wishes to undertake Level 4 Award in Audit could she fund this with another Loan? Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business Level 3 Certificate In Computerised Payroll for Business Level 3 Diploma in Accounting

19 Eligible or Not? Edward has previously undertaken a HE programme and had a HE Loan, he now wishes to undertaken the following A-Levels with no previous 24+ Advanced Learning Loan having been applied for could this be funded with a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan? GCE AS Level Government and Politics GCE AS Level History GCE AS Level Economics and Business Studies GCE AS Level English Language

20 Other Sources Use the micro-site for: Learner material and tools Template Learning and Funding Information Letters Skills Funding Agency Funding Rules and the Loans Overview and FAQs And more! Queries:

21 Questions