Who will be eligible for the LLE

Q1: Who can qualify under the LLE?

A: The LLE will be available to new learners and learners who have previously studied a course or module in higher education. Learners who are over 60 may still qualify for maintenance support, though not a tuition fee loan. Eligibility criteria for the LLE will track existing higher education student finance nationality and residency rules.

Q2: What are the eligibility rules for returning (continuing) students?

(updated 5 November 2025)

A: Students who started a course prior to 1 January 2027 will continue studying using the funding system under which the course was started. This will be under relevant existing HE Student Finance (HESF) or Advanced Learner Loan (ALL) rules. This also applies to course transfers if first year of the course the student transfers to begins before 1 January 2027.

In circumstances where the student transfers from a course that started prior to 1 January 2027 and is designated for student support under HESF their eligibility will not be converted or transferred to LLE. 

Q3: Will the LLE have restrictions, will students from the devolved administrations be eligible for LLE?

A: Eligibility for student finance is a devolved matter and UK students who are ordinarily resident in the devolved administrations should contact their relevant funding authority.

Q4: Will providers be given training on eligibility rules and new system requirements ahead of the launch of the LLE?

A: We have an extensive training and awareness programme planned for information and guidance (IAG) practitioners and education provider administrators. We will be able to provide further details in due course.

Q5: What happens to students already in study when the LLE launches?

A: Any students currently in study at the point of the LLE's launch in January 2027 will remain on their current funding arrangements. It is expected that if a student is still in receipt of government support for a course they are on in January of academic year 2026/27, their access to LLE funding may be restricted until they have completed or are no longer in receipt of government support for their original course. We will provide further details in due course.

Q6: How long must a student be out of HE before they move from the current funding model to the LLE?  

(Added 5 November 2025)