Over 60's Funding

[talkingdeadscot]

Hi, I'm looking at studying for a second degree but am getting conflicting advice about whether or not the fees will be funded. I think I've worked out that I can get funding if I'm part time and studying a STEM subject. Does anyone know if this is correct? I think there's confusion because of the talk of financing moving to LLE which may or may not support over 60's with maintenance costs but not tuition fees. Is there anyone knowledgeable who can clarify the situation at all please? Thanks in advance for any guidance you can give.

I didn’t know there was any funding for a second degree, so following with interest.

Maybe I've completely misunderstood, hopefully someone can clarify.

I also didn't think funding was available for second degrees.

Loan funding is available for second degrees if they are a) part time and b) STEM degrees.

Currently those over 60 will get fee loans but not maintenance loans.

LLE starts Jan 2026 and fee loans will not be available to those over 60.

So start next September! Don't forget your repayments will be taken from your pension when you eventually retire - I'm sure you know that but I've heard some people think they get wiped at retirement, they don't.

@titchy Thank you. I thought that's what I figured out but there was a lot to wade through.

Just one other thing if you don't mind, when you say the repayments will be taken from your pension, do the income thresholds still apply? So repayments would only start if my income reached 24k?

Yes the income thresholds are the same, and obvs will include your state pension which will be half of it.

Thank you, that's really helpful.

Student Finance England has a helpline- may be worth calling them?

Just for the sake of clarity - when you say ‘second degree’ do you mean a second Bachelor’s level degree, or do you mean a Master’s?

(I thought I knew that anyone with a first degree was eligible for a Government Postgraduate Loan for a Master’s - as long as they would be under 60 on the first day of the course. I know nothing at all about funding for over 60s. Which is relevant to me right now.)