Students in England starting undergraduate and certain postgraduate courses between 1 January and 31 July 2027 can now apply for funding through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).
Learners can apply for student finance through the new system following its official launch, the Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed.
The LLE replaces the previous undergraduate funding system for students eligible through Student Finance England (SFE). Some postgraduate courses will also be funded under the new system, including healthcare and teaching qualifications. In addition, some courses previously funded by the Advanced Learner Loan (ALL) system will now be covered by the LLE.
The introduction of the LLE marks a significant change to the student funding system in England, creating a single, flexible funding system to support learners who need to fit study around work and family life.
Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will go live in Spring 2027.
How to apply
Applicants need a GOV.UK One Login account to apply. Those who do not have one can create an account before starting their application.
Once directed to GOV.UK One Login to sign in or create an account, applicants will be told if they need to prove their identity.
What funding is available?
Learners may be able to get:
• Tuition Fee Loans to help pay course fees
• Maintenance Loans to help with living costs
• Extra help such as grants or an allowance if on a low income, disabled or have children
The amount of support depends on the number of credits studied. All qualifying courses are worth a certain number of credits, for example, a year of studying a bachelor’s degree full-time is usually worth 120 credits.
Students who have not received student finance before can get a standard entitlement of Tuition Fee Loan of up to £39,160, equivalent to approximately 480 credits. Depending on the course or modules studied, learners may be able to fund more than 480 credits based on how much their provider charges.
For those who have previously studied and received student finance, this will be considered when calculating how much tuition fee funding can be received through the LLE.
Maintenance Loans of up to £15,415 per course year are available, depending on factors such as household income, where the student lives while studying, and the number of credits being studied. The amount may change in each year of study.
Additional financial help may also be available from other sources, such as bursaries, scholarships or hardship funds from universities or colleges, and NHS funding or bursaries for certain courses like nursing or social work.
Executive Director for HE/FE reform, Derek Ross, said: “The Lifelong Learning Entitlement represents a significant reform to higher education funding, giving people the flexibility to access education throughout their working lives and build the skills to support the growth in our economy.
“From understanding eligibility, applying for funding and managing your account online, we’ve designed a process that supports learners every step of the way. I am delighted the initial application service is now available for learners planning to start their studies in January 2027.”
Repayment
Loans only need to be repaid once a learner has finished or left their course or individual module, in line with Repayment Plan 5 earning thresholds. Interest is applied from the day the first loan payment is made. Any outstanding loan through the LLE will be cancelled 40 years after the April in which the borrower is first due to start repaying.
