Lifelong learning entitlement payment schedules: Call for evidence

We are seeking views on whether maintenance loans should be paid more frequently than the current three times a year, and whether this would help students manage their finances and support more flexible study. We are also seeking views on the impact of making changes to the timing of payments of tuition fee loans.  

We welcome views from students, representative bodies, higher education providers, accommodation providers and other stakeholders on how different payment schedules might operate under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), and the potential benefits, risks and unintended consequences associated with these. 

Throughout this document, ‘maintenance loans’ is intended to include loans for living costs as well as certain grants for dependants. 

The call for evidence has three main parts:  

1. Respondent information.  

2. Maintenance loan payment schedules, including student experiences, family and financial support, higher education delivery and administration, and accommodation and housing costs.

3. Tuition fee loan payments, including questions for higher education providers. 

The questions in this call for evidence are grouped by audience to help respondents find the section most relevant to them. Respondents do not need to belong to a particular group to answer a question. We encourage individuals and organisations to answer any questions relevant to their expertise, evidence or experience.  

When answering the questions, please provide specific examples and evidence to support your response.