If you are thinking about studying for a CILEx qualification but are concerned about the costs involved, you could qualify for financial help.
Financial support to support learners with their studies is complex, and will depend on many factors, including government priorities and for learners, their age, where they live and their financial and personal circumstances, the qualification they wish to complete and mode of attendance (full or part time) as well as the status of their CILEx accredited centre.
There is a wide range of information available, mainly through the web. This article aims to highlight what funding may be available to help you as a CILEx learner.
Government schemes are different in England and Wales, and are subject to review and change. Learners should consider the following sources of financial support, which are primarily for those studying in the Further Education sector. There may be other sources of funding and support available on a local or regional basis. Learners are also recommended to contact their proposed CILEx accredited centre for further information.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance across England to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. The service offers confidential and impartial advice and is supported by qualified careers advisers.
Advanced Learner Loans
Advanced Learner Loans provide support for those aged 19 and over to access Level 3, 4, 5 and 6 courses. Whether you qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan depends on your course, the college or training provider, your age and your nationality or residency status.
The Advanced Learner Loan is funded by the Student Loans Company, and your eligibility doesn’t depend on your income. Repayment of the loan is linked to your earnings, and you will not need to repay the loan until you earn more than £21,000 a year and have finished your course.
The CILEx Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Law and Practice and the CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice are eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
However, some CILEx accredited centres do not accept the Advanced Learner Loan. Accordingly, we recommend you contact your chosen provider before applying for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Advanced Learner Bursary
If you receive an Advanced Learner Loan, you are able to apply for an Advanced Learner Bursary.
The Advanced Learner Bursary is to help you pay for things like accommodation, travel, course materials, equipment and childcare.
You apply to your college or training provider directly, each one has its own application process. How much you get depends on the provider’s scheme and your circumstances.
16–19 Bursary Fund
The 16–19 Bursary Fund is to help students with education-related costs. The bursary can be used to help pay for things like clothing, books, other equipment and transport.
You could be eligible for a 16–19 Bursary if you are aged between 16 and 19, study at a publicly funded school or college and are undertaking a training course that includes unpaid work experience. There are two types of 16–19 Bursary, both of which are means tested.
If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Discretionary Learner Support. Discretionary Learner Support is administered by local Further Education colleges. Individual colleges set their own eligibility rules, determining their priority groups and maximum amounts they may award. Financial help may be available for travel, books or childcare.
You apply to your college directly, and we recommend that you speak to student support services to find out what’s available.
The Care to Learn scheme is to help you with childcare costs while you study. In order to be eligible, you must be under the age of 20 when you start your course.
You can apply online using the GOV.UK website.
Professional Career Development Loans (PCDLs) are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000.
PCDLs are available for learners who are 18 or over, are British citizens, have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of their learning programme, and intend to work in the UK, the European Union or the European Economic Area when the course finishes.
If you are interested in applying for a PCDL, you should discuss this first with your chosen CILEx accredited centre.
The PCDL may help pay for a course, including the CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice and Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice, which lasts for up to two years, or a three-year course that includes up to one year of work experience. The criterion is that the course leads to employment or enhances job skills.
To apply for a PCDL, you need to complete an online application form. It is recommended that you contact the National Careers Service prior to applying in order to find out whether a loan is the best option for you.
PCDLs are bank loans that have to be paid back. You start repaying the loan (plus interest at a reduced rate) 1 month after leaving your course.
Careers Wales/Gyrfa Cymru
Careers Wales/Gyrfa Cymru provides an all ages, independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance service for people and businesses in Wales.
The Welsh Government Learning Grant aims to encourage more people to continue with their education, where otherwise this may not be possible. Students can receive up to £1,500 for a full-time course or up to £750 for a part-time course.
To be eligible for the Welsh Government Learning Grant, you must be aged 19 or over, you must be studying an ‘eligible’ course and you must be a UK citizen living in Wales. The grant is means tested and your household income is assessed differently depending on whether you are classed as a ‘dependant’ or ‘independent'.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is for 16 -18 year olds living in Wales, who want to continue their education after school leaving age. If you’re eligible, you could get £30 a week.
In order to be eligible for EMA, you must be 16 - 18 years old, you must be studying an ‘eligible’ full-time course and you must be a UK citizen living in Wales. EMA is also means tested and your eligibility will depend on the household income.
Apprenticeships in Legal Services
For further information on Apprenticeships, including payment of the minimum wage and funding available to employers, see the Apprenticeship article on page 8.
For more information, please visit: www.cilex.org.uk/study/apprenticeships
Support from an Employer
CILEx learners in employment could initially ask their employer, particularly if the employer is accredited with Investors in People, to help them with their study costs.
If you are going to approach your employer and present a case asking them to support you with your CILEx studies, it is suggested that you outline the potential benefits to the organisation, which may include:
CILEx learners could also suggest that employers consider other areas of support, including day release and/or study leave, coaching and mentoring and providing experience in other areas of work in the business.