Advanced Learner Loan bulletin - May 2025

Preparing for launch

The application service for academic year (AY) 2025/26 will open on Monday 9 June 2025. This is for new learners starting their course on or after 1 August 2025.

When issuing Learning and Funding Information Letters (LAFILs), check that the learning aim has received approval for funding in AY 2025/26. Please let learners know that they can only submit applications after the service launch. We'll mark any applications submitted before then as ineligible.

DfE has updated the LAFIL template for this year. You can view and download the LAFIL template from GOV.UK.

There's further information and guidance on our practitioner website. This includes useful tools and materials to help you and your colleagues. Learners can also find further information about Advanced Learner Loans on GOV.UK.

Outstanding portal administration

Please check the Payment Instalment Report (PIR) on the Financials Home tab of the LP Portal for previous academic years. It's important that you complete any overdue admin tasks to prepare for the new academic year.

Please also check you've submitted all outstanding suspensions and withdrawals on your Change of Circumstance (CoC) worklist.

Changing a learning aim end date

Remember that you cannot change a learning aim end date once the date has passed. You must continue to track the learner's details, including the end date, making sure they're still correct while they're in learning.

Please submit any necessary changes before or by the end date held in the LP Portal.

Housekeeping and security

Remember to expire the accounts of any users who no longer need access to the system. This helps to maintain the security of the portal and learner data.

There's more information on how to do this in the LP Portal user guide.

Digitising correspondence letters

We're in the process of digitising 20 system-generated letters to reduce the number of physical printed or posted letters we issue. This is the first step in a longer-term plan to digitise our communications.

This started on 12 April and will last for 7 weeks. The full schedule of letters to be digitised is as follows:

12 April 2025

• Prevent Over Repayment Scheme – advises students and repayers nearing the end of repayment to switch to Direct Debit
• payment schedule – informs students of their support, amounts and payment dates
• emergency stop payment notification – notifies students and repayers of halted payments due to withdrawal from course

14 May 2025

• Notice of Entitlement (SFE) – advises students and repayers of their student finance entitlements for the academic year

21 May 2025

• overseas letters – provides repayment details and requests employment information for overseas students and repayers

28 May 2025

• entitlement letters (SFW, NI, ADVLL, SFE and SFW PG masters and doctoral) – advises students and repayers of their student finance entitlements for the academic year
• repayment confirmation – requests current employment status from students and repayers

Partners Support Desk

Our Partners Support Desk is here to help you with any day to day operational questions about individual learners, application processing, payments and system issues.

You can contact the support desk on 0300 100 0643 or by emailing lpservices@slc.co.uk