Can anyone explain difference between Advanced Learner Loan and Student Loans, please?

[AnnO'Neemus]

I'm thinking of going back to study, but I've seen reference to two different types of student loans and I'm not exactly sure what the difference is.

Has anyone got any experience with Advanced Learner Loans and can explain more about them and how they differ from Student Loans, please?

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I'm thinking of going back to study, but I've seen reference to two different types of student loans and I'm not exactly sure what the difference is.

Has anyone got any experience with Advanced Learner Loans and can explain more about them and how they differ from Student Loans, please?

I'm not familiar but I've had a look and from what I can gather the Advanced Learner Loans are for lower level type stuff for more mature students - people going back to do A-Levels or similar level courses, where Student Loans are more for degree level.

 

[Steel Icarus]

Advanced Learner Loans often come into play if a student's three "free" years of Further Education are up but they still have the second year of a Level 3 course to do. For instance
Yr 12: Level 1
Yr 13: Level 2
Yr 14: Level 3 Year 1.

At this point they'll be 19 but in order to finish their Level 3 they need to do another year which isn't automatically funded...so an Advanced Learner Loan is required. They're paid back I think much like a Student Loans or Living Maintenance loans for degrees i.e. you have to hit a certain income before repayments kick in.

 

[Mike_eub]

The Advanced Learner Loan is for individuals aged 19 and over pursuing eligible Level 3 to Level 6 vocational qualifications, and it is not based on household income. In contrast, Student Loans are for higher education degrees and include options for tuition and maintenance costs, often considering household income for eligibility and repayment thresholds.