Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Education and learning
Help with the costs of learning
You could get financial help towards the costs of your learning, and related costs like travel and childcare. You can also get impartial advice on help available from a learning advisor by phone and email.
What sort of funding and financial support can you get?
You could be eligible for funding which you don't have to pay back to cover all or part of your course costs.
To find out more, follow the links below, or download the 'Financial help for adults in learning or training' booklet.
Adult Learning Grants, and other grants and bursaries
You could get a grant which you don't have to pay back - for example, an Adult Learning Grant (ALG) could give you up to £30 a week while you take your first full level 2 or 3 qualification.
Bursaries are similar to grants but are usually linked to certain professions.
Learner Support Funds and help with childcare costs
Learner Support Funds are available in colleges and school sixth forms to help with learning costs. The funds are prioritised for those who face financial hardship, including those with children. You may be eligible if you also receive other forms of support.
Career Development Loans
A Career Development Loan (CDL) can help you pay for vocational or work-related learning. A CDL is a deferred repayment bank loan which allows you to borrow between £300 and £8,000.
Higher education
If you want to do a higher education course, you may be eligible for a student loan or other forms of financial support.
Training and workplace learning
If you already work, your employer may fund your training. You could get help with costs if you are a member of a trade union. If you receive benefits you may be able do a course without losing any of your benefits.
Advice on funding and financial help
For impartial advice on funding and financial help, call the learndirect advice line on 0800 100 900 from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm seven days a week.
You can book a free call back at a time to suit you, by using the learndirect advice interactive telephone service. If you have an email address you can email a learning advisor with your query.
How much will my course cost?
Learning for free
Tuition is free for some courses - including, in many cases, courses in literacy and numeracy and courses which lead to your first qualification equivalent to GCSEs and A levels.
Course fees
If you don’t qualify for free tuiton, course fees vary depending on the subject, the length of the course and the type of qualification. You can find out about fees before you enrol.
Learning costs
There may be costs to cover things like exam fees, field trips and membership of societies or clubs. You may also need to buy materials - books, stationery and computer equipment, or for specific equipment needed for specialist courses such as art or music. You can normally find out about these costs before the start of your course.
Keeping costs down
To keep costs down you can:
- find out if your college has a discounted shop
- check if you are eligible for a National Union of Students (NUS) card - the card is recognised nationally and you could get discounts on products and services
- borrow books from the library, instead of buying them
- use computer facilities at your college, learning centre, library or UK online centre
You may be entitled to additional help towards related costs like living costs, travel or childcare. It's worth speaking to your student support or welfare officer to make sure you're getting all the help you're entitled to.
More useful links
Additional links
Free learning and careers advice
Your questions answered in the Careers Advice Service forums, podcasts and much more...
Do it online
Get maths confident
Brush up your maths and English skills, and make a real difference to your life
Access keys
