WIREDGOV

Registration is now open for events for the FE sector to discuss proposals for an expansion of loans. 

On Thursday, 19 June BIS published a consultation Further Education – Future Development of Loans which runs until Thursday, 21 August. The consultation seeks the views of learners, potential learners or those involved in the provision of further or higher education, on proposals for an expansion of loans in the further education sector.

This includes expanding the scope of loans to cover 19 to 23 year olds and making loans available for level 2 qualifications where learners are not entitled to full grant funding.

It also explores ideas which may help to simplify the loans funding framework, and create greater coherence between Further Education and Higher Education loans systems, including:

• considering whether the administrative rules of the Advanced Learning Loans system could be simplified
• highlighting a consultation published on 3 April by BIS, on Sharia-compliant student finance
• consulting on the idea of moving certain qualifications from Higher Education funding to Advanced Learning Loans
• seeking feedback on the effectiveness of the Advanced Learning Loans system

BIS and the Agency have now opened registration for a number of events across the country during July to discuss and hear the impact or opportunities for learners and the sector these proposals would have. For more information, including details of how to register for the events, please refer to the registration page.

In addition to the events for the sector, BIS will be hosting some focus groups for learners and prospective learners, if you have any learners that you think would be interested in taking part in these groups please emailfeloans@bis.gsi.gov.uk.