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<p>The Ministry of Defence promotes lifelong learning for members of the Armed Forces.
Eligible personnel can access two schemes which help individuals pursue their personal
development through further and higher education, both during their Service and up
to five years after discharge, subject to the qualifying criteria being met.</p><p>
</p><p>The Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provides financial support towards
the cost of higher-level learning and is funded by the single Services. ELC takes
the form of a single up-front payment of up to £3,000 in each of a maximum of three
Financial Years. Funding is available for courses that result in a nationally recognised
qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England,
Northern Ireland and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework (SCQF), or an approved international equivalent qualification with an approved
learning provider if pursued overseas.</p><p> </p><p>Eligibility for ELC funding depends
on length of service and date of enlistment, as set out in Joint Service Publication
822 ‘Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education’ (Part 1, Section 6.5,
Paragraph 3). A copy of JSP 822 can be found at the following address: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills</a></p><p>
</p><p>In addition to the ELC scheme, Service leavers and Service personnel in their
qualifying resettlement phase may use their enrolled ELC entitlement to access the
Further Education and Higher Education Scheme (FE-HE). This can fund a first full
Level 3 (GCE A level or Vocational Equivalent), or a first Higher Education qualification
(such as a Foundation Degree or First Undergraduate Degree), with the tuition fees
capped at £9,000. The scheme is comprised of the Defence contributions to the Armed
Forces ELC scheme, supplemented by resources made available by partner Government
Departments and Devolved Administrations. Full details of eligibility for FE-HE are
set out in JSP 822 Part 1, Section 6.6, Paragraph 6.</p>
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