Adult Learning Grant

Adult Learning Grant (ALG) is a means-tested allowance of up to £30 per week to adults resident in England studying full time for a first full level 2 or first full level 3 qualification. It’s open to everyone aged 19 or over.

ALG is available to students who study within the 28 areas listed below for the academic year 2006/07. The grant will eventually be extended to all adults in the workforce from 2007/08.

This new grant will help those who've not succeeded in their initial education and want to get the qualifications they need for their future careers. It offers financial help for those doing full-time further education courses.

Students not eligible for the grant will be able to apply for financial support from the discretionary learner support funds, as students do now.

Eligibility

Applicants for Adult Learning Grant must be studying within the specified pilot areas for a full-time course of learning which leads to their first full qualification at Level 2 or Level 3. ( Level 2 refers to a standard equivalent to five GCSEs at A* -C or a National Vocational Qualification at level 2. Level 3 refers to a standard equivalent to two A levels or a National Vocational Qualification at level 3. )

ALG is only available to learners in full-time learning - part-time learning does not qualify. The definition of full-time learning is:

• full-time full year learning (i.e. at least 450 guided learning hours in any 12 month period NOT including workplace learning)
• full-time part year learning (i.e. at least 150 guided learning hours per term)
• studying at least 12 hours per week.

To be eligible, learners must be aged 19 or over. Learners aged 18 can apply for ALG, but the earliest date they can apply is one month before their 19th birthday. They can also apply on or after reaching age 19. For learners who apply before their 19th birthday ALG will be due from the Monday on or following their 19th birthday subject to them meeting the usual eligibility criteria.

ALG is normally available for up to two years but can be extended to three years if the learner takes a Level 2 course before progressing to a Level 3 course.

Existing learners who meet the eligibility criteria can now apply for ALG and - subject to meeting all the eligibility criteria – the Grant can be backdated to the start of term in which the learner applied for it.

Payments

How much you qualify for depends on your income and the income of any co-habiting partner. The two income thresholds for the Grant are as follows:

Learners with a co-habiting partner in paid employment:

Learners without a co-habiting partner in paid employment (includes learners with a partner but the partner is not in paid employment.):

• ALG can be partly disregarded for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit purposes - it is expected that local authorities will disregard the first £632 of the yearly Adult Learning Grant.
  
  
• Recipients of Carer's Allowance can also apply for ALG.
  
  
• You may be eligible for additional financial support from the Childcare Support Fund in addition to ALG. You should discuss this with your chosen college.
  
  
• Learners who have exhausted Educational Maintenance Allowance entitlement and who are continuing study to attain their first full level 2 or first full level 3 course for another year are eligible to receive ALG - subject to meeting all the eligibility criteria.
  
  
• Recipients of the following awards are eligible to apply for ALG:
  • Learner Support Fund residential pilots
  • residential bursaries
  • adult education bursaries
    
    
• People receiving out of work benefits will not be eligible for the new grant. Jobcentre Plus will be able to let you know about your entitlements and where you can seek advice on learning.

Administration

The grant will be paid direct into the learner's bank account each week during term-time only (around 38 weeks a year).

More information

The Learning and Skills Council has provided information to a range of partners in pilot areas, including local Learning and Skills Councils and participating colleges. Application packs are available from participating colleges or from learndirect. If you would like further information or if you would like advice on your career options from a learning advisor, call LearnDirect on 0800 100 900.