Eligibility Rules

In order to take advantage of the support claimants must:

• Have completed four years full-time service
• Previously joined the Enhanced Learning Credit (ELC) scheme and completed at least four years qualifying scheme membership
• Only apply for a first eligible FE/HE qualification at the level for which they are academically qualified to enter learning on leaving the Service
• Have left the Service or entered their qualifying resettlement phase on or after 17 July 2008
• Meet UK’s residency requirements to qualify for full state subsidy
• Be undertaking at least the equivalent of 50% of a full time course
• Undertake learning with an approved provider listed on the ELCAS database as a PF FEHE provider and ensure the chosen course is designated for student support
• Personnel (who have passed out of Phase 2 training into operational service) are not required to meet the 4 year qualifying time if they are medically discharged from Service.  They are still required to have registered for ELC scheme membership.

Qualification Level

This commitment will provide access, free from tuition fees, for your:

First Level three or national equivalent. This refers to a first full Level three i.e. the achievement of two GCE A levels (A2) (passes at A-E) or vocational equivalent as defined by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) (England and Wales); or in Scotland a Level six qualification (SVQ Level three on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

Or a first foundation degree or first full undergraduate degree or national equivalent. Typically to be eligible for this support, the higher education qualifications would be at levels four-six of the Framework for Higher Education and Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) eg: a first undergraduate degree (including foundation degree) or Higher National Certificate or Diploma for which the entry qualification is lower than a degree and which normally takes place at a publicly funded institution.

In Scotland the equivalent qualification is a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a first undergraduate degree, undertaken at a further education college (FE college) or a higher education institution (HEI).