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Student Finance for Online Courses: What Is Covered

Can you get student finance for online courses? See which distance-learning courses qualify, what loans cover, and the funding options if yours does not.

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Updated 10 min read

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You can get student finance for some online courses, but not for all of them. In England, a full-time distance-learning degree or other eligible higher education course at a qualifying provider can attract a Tuition Fee Loan. Online A levels, GCSEs, Functional Skills and most vocational diplomas do not qualify for undergraduate student finance. Adults aged 19 and over may instead be able to use an Advanced Learner Loan for some Level 3 qualifications, including Access to Higher Education Diplomas. This guide explains the difference, what the loans cover, and how to check before you commit.

The rules below are for England unless stated. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.

TL;DR

  • Student finance covers eligible higher education courses, and a full-time distance-learning course can qualify for a Tuition Fee Loan in England. It does not cover online GCSEs, A levels or most vocational diplomas.
  • Distance learners are generally assessed for tuition support only. Maintenance support is out of scope unless a disability prevents you attending in person.
  • Adults aged 19 or over in England may be able to use an Advanced Learner Loan for Level 3 courses such as Access to HE Diplomas, and the balance can be written off if you go on to complete a higher education course.
  • From courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, England moves to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), and the provider must be registered with the Office for Students.
  • Lift College is funded by a monthly subscription with no contracts or credit checks, and a 7-day free trial.

Table of Contents

Which online courses qualify for student finance

The question is not whether a course is online. It is what level the course is, how it is studied and who provides it.

The government lists the eligible full-time undergraduate courses in England: first degrees, foundation degrees, Certificates and Diplomas of Higher Education, HNCs, HNDs, Initial Teacher Training, integrated master’s degrees, pre-registration postgraduate healthcare courses, and some Level 4 or 5 courses with Higher Technical Qualification approval. Part-time courses need an intensity of 25% or more. This is set out in the official eligibility guidance.

In practice that gives three groups:

Check the course listing with the provider before you rely on any of this. A university can confirm in writing whether a specific distance-learning programme is designated for student finance.

What student finance covers for distance learners

On a classroom degree, student finance can include a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Distance learning is treated differently.

In England, students on eligible full-time distance-learning courses may apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. If a disability prevents you from physically attending the course, you may be eligible for the full-time support package and Disabled Students’ Allowance. Without that, you should not expect a Maintenance Loan.

The position is not expected to change under the new system. From January 2027, distance learning courses will remain out of scope of maintenance support, and the government intends to roll over existing exemptions.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The devolved nations differ, so use the body for the nation where you live.

Your residency and personal circumstances also affect eligibility. Where you have lived, your nationality or immigration status, and any previous study can all matter, so read the official eligibility page for your nation before applying.

When your course does not qualify: Advanced Learner Loans

Most adults who want to retrain online are not looking at a degree. They are looking at an Access to HE Diploma, an A level or a vocational qualification. These sit below the level undergraduate finance covers.

For some of them, England offers a different loan. Advanced Learner Loans are available to eligible learners aged 19 and over studying designated qualifications at Levels 3, 4, 5 or 6, including A levels and Access to Higher Education Diplomas. The same guidance notes that with an Advanced Learner Loan you take direct responsibility and financial liability for your learning, so treat it as a real borrowing decision.

Two practical points:

  1. The loan goes through the provider. The course and the provider must both be approved for loans. Ask any provider whether it can accept an Advanced Learner Loan for the exact qualification before you sign up.
  2. Access to HE has a write-off policy. Government regulations describe cancelling an outstanding Access to HE loan balance when a learner completes a designated higher education course, intended to encourage progression to higher education. If you are weighing this route, read our guide to loans, degree match and university entry for adults.

GCSEs and Functional Skills are different again. Funding for these depends on your age, your circumstances and what is on offer locally, and many adults simply pay for them directly. Our guide to online GCSE costs and ways to fund tuition covers what to expect.

What changes for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027

England is moving to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. The LLE will create a single funding system, replacing higher education student finance loans and Advanced Learner Loans for Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications. The government says it will let people gain new skills and qualifications at a time that is right for them.

For online learners, the point to note is the provider test. For LLE funding, your university, college or training provider needs to be registered with the Office for Students. A distance-learning course may therefore be eligible in principle but unavailable to you if the provider is not registered.

If you plan to start a course in January 2027 or later, the application process differs from the current one. Use the official page for your start date and check the current rules on GOV.UK.

Repayment: what the threshold means

Student loans are repaid from your earnings, not on a fixed monthly bill. For LLE loans, Plan 5 repayments start on 6 April following course completion, once you earn more than £25,000 a year before tax in the 2026 to 2027 financial year. The threshold then rises each year with RPI inflation. Regulations split Plan 5 loans into LLE and non-LLE loans and set the repayment timing for the LLE loans.

The threshold is different for older repayment plans, so check the plan that applies to you on GOV.UK.

How to apply and when

Applications for undergraduate finance are made online with Student Finance England, or the equivalent body in your nation. Typical steps:

  1. Check you are eligible, using the official eligibility page for your nation.
  2. Confirm with the provider that your specific course is designated, and whether it is classed as full-time or part-time.
  3. Create an account and complete the application online, with your identity and course details.
  4. If you want Disabled Students’ Allowance, supply evidence of your disability.
  5. Confirm your course start date and wait for your funding notice.

You do not need a confirmed place to apply. Timing matters, though. Applying close to the start of a course, or after it has started, can mean you receive less than you expected at first because you are given the minimum amount of funding. Late applications are accepted for up to nine months after the first day of the academic year, with cut-off dates that depend on your start month. Check the official page for the current year’s timetable.

Paying without a loan: how the Lift College subscription works

If you are choosing an online Access to HE Diploma, A level, GCSE or care qualification, the funding question is often about cash flow. Lift College charges a monthly subscription instead of a lump sum. There are no contracts or credit checks, you can pause or cancel at any time, and tuition, named UK tutor support and awarding-body certification fees are included. A 7-day free trial is available.

Published prices are:

See the full pricing page and the complete list of qualifications for every course and plan. Course prices are those published on the site; confirm the current figure at enrolment.

Our Access to HE cost guide shows how monthly payments add up over the length of a diploma, and the Access to HE overview explains the course and its route into university.

Choosing the right route for your situation

Use the decision points below.

Questions to ask any online provider

Before paying a deposit or enrolling, ask:

  • Is this exact qualification regulated, and who is the awarding body?
  • Is the course designated for student finance or Advanced Learner Loans, and in which nations?
  • Is the provider registered with the Office for Students, if the course starts in 2027 or later?
  • Are tuition, tutor support and certification fees included, or charged separately?
  • What happens if I pause or leave part-way through?

Lift College qualifications are regulated and certificated through awarding bodies, with the fees included in the subscription. Start with the 7-day free trial and see how the tutor support works before you commit.

FAQ

Can you get student finance for online courses?

Yes, if the course is an eligible higher education course and the provider qualifies. In England, full-time distance-learning students may apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Online GCSEs, A levels and most vocational diplomas are not covered by undergraduate student finance.

Does student finance for distance learning include living costs?

Generally no. Distance learners are assessed for tuition support, and maintenance support is out of scope in England unless a disability prevents you attending in person. Wales treats full-time distance learning started after 1 August 2018 differently, so check the rules for your nation.

Can I get a loan for an Access to HE Diploma?

Possibly. Adults aged 19 or over in England may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan for a designated Access to HE Diploma. The provider and course must be approved for loans, so confirm this before you enrol. The balance can be cancelled if you later complete a designated higher education course.

When should I apply for student finance?

Apply as early as you can once you know your course and start date. You do not need a confirmed place, and applying late can mean receiving less funding at first. Use the GOV.UK timetable for the current academic year and your start month.

What if my course does not qualify?

Look at an Advanced Learner Loan if you are 19 or over and the qualification is designated, or at self-funding. A monthly subscription spreads the cost without a contract, and you can pause or cancel at any time.

Sources

This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Lift College team. It is provided for general information and does not replace personalised advice. For guidance on your specific situation, contact our learner support team on info@liftcollege.co.uk.

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