ESFA Advanced Learner Loans Funding Rules for AY 2021/22

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has published the Advanced Learner Loans Funding Rules for 2021 to 2022.

If you have any questions about this document, please contact your ESFA territory manager.

ESFA funding contracts for AY 2021/22

Funding contracts for AY 2021/22 will soon be published on the Manage your Education & Skill funding (ESF) portal. Please check your funding allocation for the new academic year before finalising your recruitment plans for next year.

You should raise any queries relating to your funding allocation with your ESFA territory manager before signing the contract.

Advanced Learner Loan 2021/22 online application service

We can now confirm that the Advanced Learner Loan 2021/22 online application service for learning aims starting from 1 August 2021 will be available to learners from 28 June. Please ensure that you issue Learning and Funding Information Letters (LAFILs), only in line with the date of application launch and that you update your information, advice and guidance teams accordingly.

You can find further guidance on our practitioners website to help you and your colleagues. Learners can find further information on GOV.UK.

Repayment threshold change – 6 April 2021

The repayment threshold for Advanced Learner Loans is increasing to £27,295 effective from 6 April 2021. You can find further information on GOV.UK.

Learning Provider Portal training in spring 2021

Our upcoming training events will focus on business-to-business processes and the Learning Provider Portal, with a specific focus on the administration of loans, financial reporting and complex interactions.

The events are scheduled to take place throughout April and May. They are intended for managers and staff of all approved learning providers.

Please look out for an invitation to register soon.

Change to the automatic withdrawal period on suspensions

An extension to the suspension policy has been agreed, and this changed from 12 months to 18 months effective from 28 March. If a learner is not resumed or withdrawn within this period, they will be automatically withdrawn once 18 months have passed.

If you have learners affected in the interim period, please contact our Partners Support Desk. They will help you resolve this on an individual basis.

Student Finance After Brexit webinar

You can now find the resources from our recent webinar on the SFE practitioners website and the SLC events website. We have also created a questions and answers document tailored to Advanced Learner Loans.

If you have any questions on the topics covered or have any trouble accessing these materials, please email fundinginformationpartners@slc.co.uk.

National Skills Fund – Level 3 adult offer update

ESFA has published additional information about the National Skills Fund, including an updated list of in scope qualifications.

ESFA’s latest ALL funding and performance management rules for 2020 to 21 include a new section with guidance on the administration of this funding.