Eligible learners in England can now apply for funding through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The current application window covers courses starting between 1 January and 31 August 2027. Support includes loans for tuition fees and living costs — it is not a universal, non-repayable study grant.
The Student Loans Company (SLC), which administers student loans, announced the opening of applications on 30 October 2026. According to its statement on GOV.UK, applications for the 2027/28 academic year are due to open in spring 2027. That is a separate, planned stage of the programme.
What does the new funding cover?
LLE replaces the existing undergraduate student finance system for people eligible for support through Student Finance England. It also covers some postgraduate courses, including certain healthcare and teaching qualifications, alongside some courses previously funded through an Advanced Learner Loan.
The amount of funding available is linked to the number of credits studied, which measure the volume of learning. A year of full-time undergraduate study usually amounts to 120 credits. People who have not previously received student finance can access a standard tuition fee loan entitlement of up to £39,160. This is roughly equivalent to 480 credits, although the entitlement may cover more credits where a provider charges lower fees.
That does not mean every applicant will receive the full amount. Previous student funding is taken into account when calculating the tuition fee entitlement available under LLE.
Maintenance loans and repayment
Support can also include a maintenance loan for living costs of up to £15,415 per course year. The actual amount depends on factors including household income, where the learner lives while studying and the number of credits taken. It may also change in subsequent years. Alongside loans, additional support is available, for example for people on low incomes, disabled learners and those with children.
The loans fall under Repayment Plan 5, an income-linked repayment scheme. Repayments become due after completing or leaving a course or individual module, subject to the plan’s rules and applicable income thresholds. Interest, however, starts accruing from the date of the first loan payment.
Any outstanding LLE balance is written off after 40 years, counted from the April when the borrower first became due to start repaying. The maximum funding entitlement should therefore not be confused with a non-repayable award.
How to apply
Applicants need a GOV.UK One Login account, used to access government services. Once signed in, they will be told whether they need to complete an identity check.
The programme is open to people and courses that meet its eligibility requirements. The opening of applications does not mean everyone living in England qualifies for funding. Before applying, prospective learners should check the eligibility rules, including those relating to immigration status, and confirm that their chosen course is covered by LLE.
