Loans and Other Financial Support

There are several types of loan designed especially for students, with generous repayment terms. If you would like to discuss any loan or support available to you, Student Services are happy to help.

Support for Further Education (FE) Students

Have you heard about the Advanced Learner Loan?

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 will be required to pay 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:

• Repayments are linked to what you earn and not how much you borrowed.
• You only have to start making repayments when you’ve finished your course and you’re earning over £25,000 a year (which is £404 a week or £1,750 a month). Until then you don’t need to pay back anything, but you can make voluntary repayments at any time.
• You pay 9% of the money you earn over £25,000, before tax. For example, if you earn £22,000 a year, your monthly repayment will be £7 a month; and if you earn £35,000 a year, it will be £105 per month.
• Interest is charged on a sliding scale between the Retail Price Index (RPI) and RPI +3%, depending on how much you earn.

For further information, contact GC Student Services on 0345 155 2020, email info@gloscol.ac.uk or visit the Government website.

Student Support Fund

Student Support Funds are provided by GC for students who may need support or assistance to pay for things like exams, trips, course materials, childcare and travel expenses. You can apply if...

• You are 16+ years old
• Receiving income based benefits, or being supported by someone who has these. Evidence would need to be provided and dated within the last three months
• On a low income (this will be assessed by a Student Support Adviser)

You can apply by visiting Student Services or click below for more information and to apply online.

Student Services opening times: our offices are open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and our phones lines are open 8.30am-4.30pm.

Help with Childcare

For young parents, Care to Learn can provide up to £160 per week to cover childcare and associated travel costs for each child.

You can apply if you are...

• A resident of England
• Aged 20 or under when you start your course
• Caring for your own child or children
• Using an Ofsted registered childcare provider
• A British citizen or a national of a country within the EEA

Receiving this help will not affect your existing benefits.

You need to apply online through Care to Learn https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or call them on 0800 121 8989 for further information

Support for Higher Education (HE) Students

Loans for Full-Time Students

The Student Loan Company offers loans to cover the full cost of tuition fees as well as loans and grants to help with living costs.

Loans for Part-Time Students

Some part-time students will be able to apply for a non-means tested tuition loan to cover their fees. The amount awarded depends upon personal circumstance, the intensity of the course and how long it will take to complete compared to an equivalent full time course.

For full details on HE loans visit their website at https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

Higher Education Student Opportunity Fund

Students experiencing financial hardship may be able to get extra funding from us. We assess each case individually, please speak to Student Services for more details

Help with Council Tax

As a full time student you could be entitled to a discount / exemption towards your Council Tax.

Full-time students who live alone, or with other full-time students, do not have to pay any council tax. If there is a full time student living in a house with others who are not students, you will be entitled to a discount on Council Tax.

A full time course, for this purpose is defined as:

• Lasting for one academic or calendar year for at least 24 weeks in that year and...
• The students study/tuition/work experience amounts to at least 21 hours per week

To apply for a discount / exemption you will need to complete a student discount application form, available online or from your local council.