Help with the costs of learning

You could be eligible for funding which you don't have to pay back to cover all or part of your course 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. You may be eligible if you also receive other forms of support.

You could get a grant which you don't have to pay back. Bursaries are similar to grants but are usually linked to certain professions.

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.

If you want to do a higher education course, you may be eligible for a student loan or other forms of financial support.

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.

Some courses are free, including those for literacy and numeracy as well as some e-learning courses.

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.

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.

To keep costs down you can:

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 funding you are entitled to.