The Advanced Learner Loan 2021/22 online application service for courses starting from 1 August 2021 opened on 28 June.

Eligible learners can apply online on GOV.UK. Learners will need their Learning and Funding Information Letter (LAFIL) to make an application. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has updated the suggested LAFIL template for this year. You can view and download the LAFIL template on GOV.UK.

Policy changes for academic year 2021/22

For academic year 2021/22 the Department for Education (DfE) ministers have introduced a new residence category of eligible learners. They’ve also amended some existing categories.

The new category is 'indefinite leave to remain as a bereaved partner'. It applies to individuals whom the UK Home Office has granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR), where in some cases it has made allowances for gaps in their leave due to periods of bereavement.

There have also been amendments to existing protection-based categories to remove the 3-year ordinary residence requirement. This aligns these categories with the category for those recognised as refugees.

You can find more information in our residency and evidence factsheet. 

EU Settlement Scheme and share codes

We will request share codes for applicants under the EU Settlement Scheme 24 hours after we receive an online application. Learners not applying online should send share codes along with the paper application. We expect to process 95% of all share codes within 20 working days of receiving them.

We're aware of some instances where EU learners are incorrectly selecting the application checkbox for UK national instead of the required EU national option. This can cause unnecessary delays, so please advise accordingly if learners are looking for help.

Please see our EU exit and Advanced Learner Loans factsheet for more information on the EU Settlement Scheme and share codes.

Adherence to the service standards

The August fixed quarter drawdown deadline is Thursday 12 August. Please check that your learners’ information is correct before you submit your initial attendance confirmations.

You need to submit attendance confirmations by this date to ensure payment on Wednesday 18 August. This will allow us to release payments for learners who have a positive attendance confirmation.

You should also submit any confirmations that remain outstanding on your attendance worklist. This includes non-attendance and notifications of any change of circumstances as soon as the change details are finalised. This is to ensure that learners are entering repayment at the correct time and that the funding provided is in line with their true entitlement. You can submit attendance confirmations from Monday 2 August.

Service Review Forums

The FE Loans Partner Services Management team is planning for a November schedule for our Service Review Forums. You'll have the option to attend the session face to face or virtually.

We will be in touch shortly with a 'save the date' so please look out for the update.

Are your contract manager details up to date?

The UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) is the portal for government departments, agencies, learners and employers to share information about learning providers.

Please check that your contract manager details on the Learning Provider Portal are correct. You can find this information on the Learning Provider Details page. This will show the information we've received from ESFA for your organisation, including the details of your contract manager.

You can find more information in the Updating provider details and Contract details chapters of the Learning Provider Portal user guide.