Career Development Loan

Career Development Loan - CDL

What is a career development loan?

A CDL is a deferred repayment bank loan operated by the Dept for Education and Skills and three banks; Barclays, The Co-Operative, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
A CDL can help you fund up to two years' job-related learning or education, plus up to another year if the course includes practical work experience. Study can be full-time, part-time or distance learning.

A CDL can support any type of full-time, part-time or distance learning course as long as it:

gives you the skills needed for an occupation, trade or profession
lasts no more than two years. Plus, where relevant, up to one year of practical experience as part of the course
is not supported financially by a LEA mandatory grant and/or Student Loan together for a course at a publicly funded higher or further education institute.

You will not be entitled to a CDL if:

you are receiving an NHS non-means tested bursary;
you have a job and your employer will be receiving a grant for your course;
you have reasonable or adequate access to funds to pay for the course yourself.

Useful links for information

Department for Education and Skills (DfES) publishes a free booklet on CDLs. Contact their helpline.
Tel: 0800 585505 (Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm)

Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

You can find your local LEA with the DfES - details are here:
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/students/

Career Development Loans (CDLs)
Booklets including full details on eligibility, an application form and lists of bank branches you can apply to are available from JobCentres, TECs, careers advisers and colleges.

Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Deals with financial support for Scottish students in higher education.
Website: www.student-support-saas.gov.uk

Lifelong Learning also has information on CDLs.
Website: www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl

Link to Job Freebies