What is the Adult Learning Grant and am I Eligible

The Adult Learning Grant, or ALG, is in place to help adults who want to study be able to afford to do so. It is a non-repayable grant of up to £30 a week and is intended to help adult learners with the costs associated with returning to education.

It is available to adults studying on all sorts of courses and training programmes.

Who Qualifies for the Adult Learning Grant?

A wide range of adult learners are eligible for the Adult Learning Grant but there are restrictions relating to:

• Age: To be eligible for the ALG claimants must be aged 19 or over.
• Location: Applicants for the ALG must be studying for a course in England.
• Income: There is an upper income threshold for eligibility for ALG and those that have earned above it can’t claim. Currently these thresholds are £19,513 for a single person and £30,810 for someone who lives with a partner or is married.
• Course Being Studied: Not all education courses qualify for the ALG, although many do. Firstly, in order to be eligible the college or institution that you’re studying at must be recognised by the Learning and Skills Council. Individual colleges can advise as to whether they are approved. The course being studied for must also lead to the claimant’s first full Level 2 (equivalent to five or more A to C GCSEs or NVQ 2) or Level 3 qualification (equivalent to two A-levels or NVQ 3).
• Study Hours: For an adult learner to be eligible for the ALG their course must be full-time and include attendance of at least 12 hours per week (or 150 hours per term).

The Adult Learning Grant and Benefits

Those receiving benefits because they’re out of work are not eligible for the ALG. These disqualifying benefits include Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.

Other types of benefit and part-time work don’t usually affect eligibility for the ALG but there are some exceptions.

The ALG: How Much Could You Receive?

The amount of Adult Learning Grant students are eligible to receive depends on their income. Single applicants earning under £11,810 are eligible for the full amount of £30 per week. This amount then decreases in increments up to the income of £19,513.

Those who live with their partner or are married will be eligible for the full £30 if their combined income is less than £20,817. This amount then decreases in increments up to the combined income of £30,810.

What can the ALG Be Used For?

The Adult Learning Grant can be used for costs related to studying including:

• Books
• Equipment
• Travel
• Learning materials

Applying for the Adult Learning Grant

The ALG can be applied for through colleges and learning institutions or by requesting an application pack from the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Guidance is provided on how to fill in the application form and payments are made directly to adult learners’ bank accounts. It is best to apply for the ALG before courses actually start but it’s possible for ALG payments to be backdated.