What Is an ALL? (And Why You Should Know About It!)
Did you know that Adult Education Wolverhampton offers Advanced Learner Loans (ALLs) to help students aged 19 and over take their next step into further education?
You may be wondering… “What exactly is an ALL?”
An Advanced Learner Loan is a government-backed loan, provided through the Student Loans Company (SLC), that helps cover tuition fees for Level 3 to Level 6 courses in England. It’s designed for adults who want to upskill, reskill, or return to learning without upfront costs.
Benefits include:
- No means testing
- No credit checks
- Repay only when you earn above the repayment threshold
In short - it removes some of the biggest financial barriers that adult learners face.
A Day at the ALL Learning Provider Regional Service Review Forum
I recently attended the Advanced Learner Loan Learning Provider Regional Service Review Forum in Manchester on Thursday 26 February 2026. As someone still new to ALLs, it was a fantastic opportunity to broaden my understanding - and meet colleagues from across the region.
The day focused on upcoming changes, process improvements, and key updates affecting ALL delivery.
Key Takeaways from the Forum
- New 26/27 Portal Opening - The updated learner application portal for 2026/27 courses will go live on 8 June 2026 for courses starting from September.
- Repayment Threshold Reminder - Repayments are 9% of earnings above £25,000, so repayment only applies to income over that threshold.
- Digital Evidence Upload - Students will soon be able to upload evidence digitally, replacing postal submissions for speed and security.
- Updated Payback Scheme Handouts - New resources will help learners understand repayment clearly before applying.
A Great Learning Experience
As a newcomer to ALL processes, the session was incredibly helpful. Understanding the wider policy context - and hearing from colleagues across regions - gave me a much clearer picture of how ALLs support our learners. It was also a brilliant networking opportunity, connecting with people as passionate about adult education as we are at AEW.