Q&A

 Full guidance setting out the eligibility criteria and the administrative processes will be issued to ALG delivery partners in late May/early June. These Q & A accordingly do not cover these detailed aspects of the scheme and are intended to provide a high level, initial briefing tool. The Q&As should be used only for reference purposes and will be superseded by the full guidance when it is issued. Any press or media queries should continue to be referred to the LSC Press Office at Cheylesmore House.

Q What is ALG?

ALG provides financial help with the costs of learning to low skilled, low income adults who are studying full time for their first full Level 2 or first full Level 3 qualification.

ALG is playing a vital role in contributing to the Public Service Agreement (PSA) target to reduce the number of adults in the workforce who lack a Level 2 qualification. The scheme also contributes to the Learning and Skills Council priority, the importance of which was restated in the Leitch report, to increase skills at Level 3 and above. To set these priorities in context, 6.3 million economically active adults lack a Level 2 or higher qualifications; and 11.4 million economically active adults lack Level 3 or higher qualifications. Evaluation of the pilots showed that ALG is making a positive impact on participation, retention and progression with those adults Leitch has identified as being most important, notably those without basic skills of functional literacy and numeracy and those yet to achieve a full level 2 qualification. ALG supports demand-led learning by targeting financial support at the individual learner. The learner may then choose which provider to study with, and which course to study, within the bounds of the scheme.

ALG was piloted from 2003 to 2006 and rolled out nationally in September 2007.

Q What impact has ALG had so far?

· ALG accelerates learning. Over a quarter (27%) of recipients said they would have studied part time without ALG – in other words ALG is helping learners to gain their qualifications, and improve their employment prospects, more quickly.

· ALG improves retention. 17% of recipients said they probably or definitely would have dropped out of the course without ALG. On average, 93% of ALG learners stay in learning - compared to an average of 85% in FE. An increasing number of learning providers are reporting 100% retention rates for their ALG learners.

· ALG encourages participation. 15% of recipients said they probably or definitely would not have gone ahead with their course without ALG.

· ALG supports social equity. Recipients who do not have a job are those most likely to state they would definitely or probably have dropped out without ALG.

Q The Impact of ALG - Attainment and Progression

· ALG has helped over 43,000 learners to achieve their Level 2 and/or Level 3 qualifications so far.

· Over 20% of learners who use ALG to study at Level 2 go on to study at Level 3.

· ALG recipients are more likely to achieve their qualifications than general FE learners (77% compared with 69%).

· The proportion of ALG recipients in full-time work more than doubled from the start of the academic year to the end of the academic year.

Q The Impact of ALG - Learner Motivation

• 96% of learners were enrolled on their course for job-related reasons.

• The main reason for studying is for career development. Few learners in work are enrolled on courses related to their current job (18%); their motivations are to gain new skills and to get a job they are thinking of doing in the future.

Q What does the typical ALG learner look like?

· Young. 63% of those surveyed were aged 19 or 20.

· Ethnically diverse. Take up amongst ethnic minority groups has been higher than in FE as a whole at 20%.

· Limited childcare responsibilities. 12% have children aged under 16.

· Slight majority female. 53% of learners are female and 47% male, proportions in line with the gender split in FE as a whole

· Living with their parents (three quarters of the sample).

· Combining working with learning. 65% of learners were working while they were doing their course.

· 14% have a disability or long standing illness, in line with general participation data.

· Prior qualifications: 61% of learners had achieved Level 2 qualifications and 22% had Level 1 as their highest prior qualification

Q What kind of learning is supported by ALG?

· 72% of learners were studying for Level 3 qualifications and 14% at Level 2, 14% could not be classified during interviews. Management Information from the Assessment and Payment Body indicates that 80% of learners are studying for Level 3 courses and 20% studying for Level 2 courses.

· The most common subjects being studied were arts, media and publishing; health, public services and care; preparation for life and work; business administration and law; and ICT.

· 89% of the Level 2 courses were vocational and 13% academic. 70% of the Level 3 courses were vocational and 42% academic. (NB: these figures add up to more than 100% as learners can be doing more than one course).

Residency

Q. Who is responsible for checking residency?

From 2008/09 the learner will be required to self certify that they meet all the residency criteria as shown on the ALG application form. This, in combination with the residency assessment learning providers undertake when enrolling an individual onto a learning programme will satisfy the LSC that the proper checks have been made.

Q. Is a resident of Wales/Scotland eligible for ALG?

Yes from the start of the academic year 2008/09, residents of Wales or Scotland will be eligible to apply for ALG if studying with a LSC funded provider in England.

ALG administration

Q. How is the ALG administered?

ALG is adminstered nationally by the Helpline Assessment and Payment Body along with other elements of the Learner Support Programme Education Maintainance Allowance (EMA), Care to Learn, Residential Support Scheme, Dance and Drama Award and Sixth Form Childcare Scheme.

Q. What are the roles and responsibilities of providers in delivering ALG?

We expect providers to integrate ALG with existing learner support, national and local fee remission arrangements and to enrol learners for appropriate courses. Providers will liaise with the HAPB to monitor and report attendance and maintain auditable records. Deal with queries from learners about the withholding of ALG payments because of failure to meet attendance and Notice of Entitlement criteria.

Q. Is there financial support available for administration?

No. The overall LSC financial settlement to colleges includes operating costs. ALG should not involve significant additional burdens on top of the reporting systems already in use – numbers are relatively small and the administrative burden should be likewise. In 2008/2009 we expect around 28,000 ALG learners, EMA expect over 500,000 learners. Most of the systems needed to successfully operate ALG are already in place and several trialling colleges have reported that any additional work caused by ALG is offset by reduced activity elsewhere.

Q. Is it the responsibility of the provider to establish absence criteria?

The ALG Scheme Guidance sets out the process for reporting absence data. It also gives examples of the most common reasons given for absences, together with how these should be recorded. Using that guidance, it will be for the college to reach a decision on the validity of each individual case and whether the absence should impact on payment of ALG. It is important that colleges are consistent in their approach informing learners when their payment has been stopped, giving the learner the opportunity to appeal if they feel it is unfair. Experience has shown that where learners are kept aware of the reason for stopped payments, they become better at organising their schedules in order to avoid missing classes unnecessarily.

Q. Why can’t apprentices and people on Train to Gain receive ALG?

As stated in the LSC Funding Guidance, learners ‘shall not be required to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning’ via this route. This means that learners do not require any further financial help with the costs of learning, such as that provided by ALG. Accordingly, individuals following Apprenticeship programmes and Train to Gain are not normally eligible for ALG.

However, although we expect that the majority of learning taken through the Train to Gain route will be undertaken in the workplace it is possible that in some instances it is possible that the most appropriate learning may be that which is delivered by a local learning provider. This means that learners may potentially incur additional costs, such as transport, and as such may be entitled to ALG. Any such cases will be assessed on an individual basis.

ALG in general

Q. What do ALG learners spend the grant on?

The main areas in which ALG recipients spent their grant are books and course related equipment (70%) and course related travel (73%).

Q. How is ALG promoted?

We have developed a national marketing and communications strategy which features local radio, local press,full details are available on the Campaign Resources web site.

Q. Why is ALG not paid to learners during holidays?

It is not possible for ALG to be paid for occasions where learning providers do not require a learner to attend. This is because ALG is intended to meet the costs of learning such has travel, books and equipment.

Q. Why isn’t ALG as generous as EMA – e.g. no bonus payments?

We are not convinced that incentives such as bonuses are the right approach for adult learners, who are different and face different challenges to the 16-19 year olds which EMA is targeted at. We feel that it is better to combine ALG with access to discretionary Support Funds for help with travel, books and childcare.

Q. Are ALG payments backdated?

Applications received within 28 days of the start of a learning programme will be eligible to receive back-dated payments to the start of the programme. Applications received in excess of 28 days after the learning programme start date will only be eligible to receive payments from the Monday of the week in which the form was received by the HAPB.

The application process

Q. Who is responsible for checking prior qualifications?

Learners should self-declare the qualifications they hold – though the assistance of learning providers in helping them to understand which qualifications they do, and do not, hold (as we know this can be difficult) is appreciated.

Q. Does an IAG specialist need to give one-to-one help with getting ALG applications completed?

Not necessarily, but it does help reduce queries if somebody helps. It is clearly not in the interest of learners, administrators, or student support teams to have unresolved queries holding up ALG payments – and experience has shown that where assistance from student support advisors is given, applications are much more likely to be correctly completed, leading to payments starting sooner.

Q. Are there any times of peak activity?

The busiest times are around the start of the academic year – around 75% of ALG applications are made at this point. Therefore you may want to pro-actively offer support to learners who are applying for ALG, which can substantially help reduce the volume and complexity of queries you might receive later.

Eligibility

Q. Will ALG support learning at Level 1?

No. Level 1 and entry level programmes are important and there are existing routes of support for those learners. ALG is focused on first full Level 2 and first full Level 3 because those are the qualifications that start to make a real difference to people’s employability and social integration.

Q. What is the definition of full level 2/full level 3?

ALG uses definitions set out by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). This means that full Level 2 is regarded as the equivalent of five GCSE passes at grade A*-C, or an NVQ2. Full Level 3 means a standard equivalent to two A Level passes or an NVQ3. As providers will already be aware, the Learning Aims Database is a very useful tool for identifying which courses are at what Level.

Q. What is the impact upon receipt of benefits?

Learners cannot receive the ALG at the same time as claiming “out of work” benefits, such as Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support. It is possible to receive ALG at the same time as “in work” benefits, such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Rebate.

Q. If a partner is in receipt of benefits can a learner apply?

Where joint signing does not apply, partners of benefit recipients are eligible to claim ALG. However receipt of ALG may affect the joint benefit entitlement and individuals should contact their local Jobcentre Plus office to discuss the likely impact of ALG on their entitlement.

Q. Is there an upper age restriction on eligibility?

ALG is available to all learners in the workforce aged over 19 and studying for their first full Level 2 or level 3 qualification. According to the DWP definition of working age, this means this is an upper age limit of 65 for women and for men. This criteria has been set in order to maximise the impact of the limited ALG budget and ensure it is targeted at priority learners, ie: those lacking the qualifications they need to improve their employability and skills. However, we know that people are continuing to work longer, and if a learner over these upper age limits does intend to change career or continue in employment, each individual will be considered on a case by case basis.

Q. How may years can you receive ALG for?

Entitlement to ALG is normally two years but can be extended – for example where a student takes level 2 before moving on to level 3 and can expect to complete their studies within a maximum of three years. Requests to extend ALG beyond this for individuals with learning difficulties and/or disabilities will be considered on an individual basis.

Q. Will ALG support learners who already have a skill/qualification at level 2/3, which is no longer relevant?

ALG can only be used to gain higher qualifications than already held. This means that “old” qualifications will disqualify entitlement when there is no progression. However, where learners do hold obsolete Level 2 qualifications, many colleges will be receptive to them going straight onto a Level 3 course – so long as the specific subject for study doesn’t preclude it.

Q. If a learner followed a vocational programme and wants to change to an academic route can they apply for ALG?

Yes. A learner who gained a NVQ 2 will be able to receive ALG when they begin on an academic level 3 course. However, a learner who has gained an NVQ3 will not be entitled to ALG, if they decide to study for an academic level 3 course as they already hold an equivalent qualification.

Q. How is the grant calculated?

The amount of Grant a learner will actually get depends on their taxable income during the last tax year – 6 April 2007 to 5 April 2008. The lower the income, the more Grant they’ll get. If the learner is married or lives with a partner as if they’re married, we’ll also consider their taxable income. To work out how much the learner will get, we ask for information about their taxable income as well as other questions to check that they do qualify.

Q. What is the Notice of Entitlement?

The Notice of Entitlement (NoE) was previously known as a Learning Agreement. The document will also include the Learner Contract which should be taken by the learner to the provider. Following receipt of the Learner Contract the provider can enrol the learner onto the Learner Support System (LSS). The Learner Contract is split into sections A and B. Part A will be retained by the learner and Part B retained by the provider.

Q. How is the Grant paid?

The Adult Learning Grant is paid straight into the learner’s bank or building society using BACS transfers. This is the normal way to pay money into bank and building society accounts and means the learner will need a bank or building society account that will accept BACS payments.

Q. When is the Grant paid?

ALG payments will be made directly to the learner’s bank account one week in arrears. ALG is payable in term time only and subject to the learner’s satisfactory attendance.

Q. Can a learner in custody apply for ALG?

People in prison or in young offender institutions and those released on temporary licence (ROTL) are not eligible to claim ALG. However, they may apply for the scheme whilst serving their sentence when their expected release date is known.

People, who have been released from prison or young offender institutions, including those learners that remain under supervision (including any learners who are electronically tagged) in the community, can apply for support.

Q. Who can provide ALG learning? Is it restricted to FE colleges?

Learners at LSC funded providers will be eligible for ALG support providing that they are delivering learning which leads to a full Level 2 or full Level 3 qualification and is within the 450 guided learning hours criteria.

Q. How does a learner get an application form?

Application forms are available from:

· Learning providers

· The ALG helpline - 0800 121 8989

· Careers Advice – 0800 100 900

Learners who are continuing study over two years need not re-apply for an ALG form. The HAPB will send a partly completed form to their home address for completion with the necessary income and course details.

Q. Where do learning providers get application forms?

Application forms are available through Prolog. They can be ordered by ringing 0845 602 2260, quoting reference number LSC-P-NAT-080049.

Q. I’m self employed. How will my income be assessed?

Learners who are self employed need to advise of heir total amount of income received in the tax year 2007-08.

Q. How long does it take to process an application?

The Notice of Entitlement or a rejection letter is normally sent out within 10 working days of receiving a valid application. Straightforward applications take less time, although a small number of more complex applications can take slightly longer, but a learner can expect to receive either of these documents within 3 weeks. Any supporting evidence that has been sent with the application is normally returned within 2-3 days.

Q. Why does the application form ask for originals rather than photocopies?

This is to combat potential fraud.

Q What if errors are found on the form?

If there are mistakes on the form then it is returned to the learner with an explanation showing what needs to be done to complete the application. Once a fully completed form has been received by the HAPB and assessed as eligible for ALG payments will begin and will take account of the date of receipt of the original application.

Q What type of personal information is required to process an application?

ALG is income assessed. An individual’s entitlement is dependent on the applicant’s income, age, level of learning and hours of study.

Q. Can ALG learners access other forms of learner support?

ALG can be used as part of a package of financial support for learning. 18% of ALG recipients are also in receipt of discretionary LSF – which may mean that the demand for discretionary LSF is slightly reduced as a result of additional support via ALG.

Q. How does ALG fit with other types of learner support?

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Learners aged 19 plus who have exhausted their entitlement to EMA and are continuing their first full level 2 or first full level 3 course may apply for ALG.

Some younger learners will be eligible for ALG having not been eligible for EMA.

Other young learners may feel that they would be better off on ALG than EMA, because of the differences in the way the programmes are income assessed. However, learning providers should encourage them to balance the possible additional amount they might receive per week, against the bonus payments they receive with EMA and weigh up their circumstances carefully before transferring to ALG early (i.e. when they turn 19).

Discretionary Learner Support Funds (LSF) (i.e. hardship and childcare)

Learners receiving ALG can also apply for discretionary LSF. Providers should take any ALG into account when making decisions about the allocation of discretionary LSF. Learners who are eligible for ALG should normally be expected to make an application for ALG before they apply for discretionary LSF.

Residential Support Scheme

Learners receiving ALG can also apply for residential support, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for both programmes.

Care to Learn

Learners receiving ALG can also apply for Care to Learn provided they meet the eligibility criteria for both programmes.

Career Development Loans (CDLs)

ALG recipients can also apply for a CDL and may find this helpful with any additional costs of learning.

Further Sources of Information

Website

www.direct.gov.uk/alg

Guidance

The 2008/09 ALG Scheme Guidance for Providers is now available at http://alg.lsc.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-08-09/. This guidance contains advice and information on administering the ALG scheme.

If you have any further questions relating to ALG please call the Learner Support Partner Helpline on 0845 600 7979.