This guide is for UK residents. Most government funding for adult courses applies to people who live in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland run their own schemes, so check with your local government if you live there.
Paying for a course is a worry for many learners. The good news is that help is available. Depending on your age, your income, and the course you choose, you may be able to get all or part of your NCFE CACHE qualification paid for.
This guide explains each funding option, the rules you need to meet, and how to find out if you qualify.
Can You Get Funding for an NCFE CACHE Course?
Possibly. Funding depends on three things:
- You: your age, where you live, your income or work status, and the qualifications you already hold.
- The course: it must be approved for public funding.
- The provider: government funding is paid to colleges and training providers, so the provider you choose must be able to offer funded places.
Not every course or provider offers funding, so it is worth checking all three before you apply.
Easy Training 123 does not offer Government funding for our courses however we welcome all learners and endeavour to provide information that’ll assist you on your way to finding the right course for you.
Government Funding Options
Free Courses for Jobs (Level 3)
This is the main government scheme for adults. If you are eligible, the government pays your course fees for a Level 3 qualification. Health and social care and childcare and early years are both on the list of subjects, which covers many NCFE CACHE courses, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.
You can read the official rules on the GOV.UK Free Courses for Jobs page.
Funding for 19 to 23 Year Olds
If you are aged 19 to 23, you have a legal right to study for a first full Level 2 or Level 3 qualification for free. This applies whatever you earn.
Advanced Learner Loans
If you do not qualify for free funding, you may be able to take out an Advanced Learner Loan. These loans help with course fees for qualifications at Levels 3 to 6, so they can also cover higher-level courses such as the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Adult Care.
Key points about the loan:
- You must be 19 or over on the first day of your course.
- The course must be at an approved college or training provider in England.
- It does not depend on your income, and there is no credit check.
- You repay it only once you earn above a set amount.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement
The government is also bringing in the Lifelong Learning Entitlement from 1 January 2027, which will apply to qualifications regulated by Ofqual. Check the GOV.UK overview for the latest details.
Government Funding Criteria: Who Is Eligible?
For Free Courses for Jobs, you must usually:
- Be aged 19 or over.
- Live in England and meet the residency rules. Your provider will check that you have the right to study in the UK.
- Earn below the earnings limit, or be unemployed. From August 2026, the limit in most of England is £26,800 a year. It was £25,750 before. Some areas set their own limit, so check locally.
- Choose a qualification on the funded list. The course must be approved for funding.
Some areas also have extra rules about the qualifications you already hold. Your local college or training provider can tell you what applies where you live.
If you are 19 to 23, you do not need to meet the earnings test to get your first full Level 3.
What If You Claim Universal Credit?
You may be able to apply for a free course if it will improve your chances of getting work. Many people on Universal Credit can train full time for up to 16 weeks and keep claiming. Speak to your local Jobcentre Plus before you start.
Help With Other Costs
If you get a funded place, you may also get help with childcare, travel, and other costs through learner support.
How to Check If Your Course Is Funded
Follow these steps to find out whether a specific course can be funded.
Step 1: Search the funding list. The government publishes a list of qualifications approved for funding. Use the Find a Qualification funding search and type in the name of the course. The results show which funding offers the qualification is approved for, such as Free Courses for Jobs or Advanced Learner Loans.
Step 2: Find local providers. Use the National Careers Service course finder to see which free courses are available near you or online.
Step 3: Check your eligibility. Compare your age, income, work status, and prior qualifications with the criteria above.
Step 4: Contact the provider. Ask whether they have funded places for your course, and check their admissions rules.
Remember that the funding list tells you if a qualification can be funded. It does not tell you whether you personally qualify, or whether a provider has places. Step 4 matters.
How to Apply
- Choose your qualification and check it is on the funded list.
- Contact the college or training provider and confirm they offer funded places.
- Share your details so they can check your eligibility.
- If you are accepted, you will not pay course fees for a fully funded place.
- If you are not eligible, ask about a loan or a payment plan.
What to Have Ready
Providers may ask for proof of your:
- Identity and right to study in the UK
- Address, to show where you live
- Earnings, such as a recent payslip, or proof you are unemployed
- Existing qualifications
- Benefit status, if you claim Universal Credit
Each provider has its own list, so ask what they need before you apply.
Other Ways to Pay for Your Course
If you are not eligible for government funding, you still have options.
Employer Support
Many care employers pay for staff training, especially for roles that need a Level 3 or Level 5 qualification. Ask your manager or HR team whether they fund courses, or offer training as part of an apprenticeship.
Payment Plans
At Easy Training 123, you can spread the cost. Pay a minimum of £200 to start, then £100 a month until the course fee is paid. Our Level 3 diplomas cost £1,200, and our Level 5 diplomas cost £1,800. Read more in our guide on how much an NCFE CACHE qualification costs.
Funding for Level 3 vs Level 5 Courses
The funding route depends on the level.
- Level 3: You may qualify for free funding under Free Courses for Jobs. If not, you can usually use an Advanced Learner Loan.
- Level 5: Free Courses for Jobs covers Level 3 only, so Level 5 learners usually look at an Advanced Learner Loan, employer funding, or a payment plan.
Is the Course Regulated?
Funding schemes only support regulated qualifications, so it helps to know your course is genuine. See our guide: Are NCFE CACHE qualifications regulated?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is funding available to everyone in the UK? Most government funding applies to people living in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own schemes.
Can I get a free Level 3 diploma in adult care? Possibly. Health and social care is on the Free Courses for Jobs list, but the exact qualification and provider must be approved. Check using the funding search above.
Do I have to pay back Free Courses for Jobs? No. If you are eligible and accepted, the government pays your fees.
Do I have to pay back an Advanced Learner Loan? Yes, but only once you earn above the repayment threshold.
Can I get funding if I already work in care? Yes, if you meet the age, residency, and earnings rules, or if your employer agrees to fund the course.
Need Help Choosing a Funding Route?
Funding rules change each year, and the right option depends on your situation. If you are unsure what you qualify for, take a look at our FAQs, browse our NCFE CACHE courses, or contact Easy Training 123. We will explain your options in plain English.
What Our Students Have To Say
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