for those of you who did an access course....

[Orlandointhewilderness]

How did you afford it? I want to retrain desperately but I don't know how people manage to pay for it! What sort of help is available?

Thanks!

You may be eligible for an advanced learners loan (think that is what it is called) but apparently they are changing the rules so they will only fund it in actual college, not an online course.

Have a look on the student loan site to see whether you are eligible.

My 38 year old son starts an access to nursing course
It costs £3000 but if he goes on to do nursing he doesn’t have to pay

I did mine while I was on working tax credits so it was free. Maybe look into that. Not sure if it’s still the same though

I got mine free if you didn’t have a level 3 qualification yet

Advanced learner loan as PP said (though it only covers tuition fees, not living costs). If you do go onto complete a degree, you don't have to repay the ALL.

www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

It's more the living costs that worries me, how do people pay the bills if it is full time?

I was on benefits when I did mine (8 years ago). Didn't have to pay for the course.

I did mine in the evening and just worked full time. It is a lot of work but totally doable. Course fees were paid in instalments. Ask the college what the options are.