Government-funded courses can offer financial assistance if you want to complete yoga teacher training. But is it a worthwhile investment?
To answer this question we’re going to compare government-funded yoga courses with non-funded options, discussing topics such as:
Contents:
- What Are Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
- Is There a Government Grant for Yoga Teacher Training?
- How Long Will I Have to Wait to Get My Yoga Teacher Training Government Funded?
- What is a ‘Self Funded’ Yoga Teacher Training Course?
- Are Government-Funded Yoga Courses The Same As Non-Funded Options?
- What Are The Differences Between Self-Funded And Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
- Does Every Course Provider Offer Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
If you’re interested in turning your passions into a rewarding career, OriGym’s Level 3 Yoga Diploma will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful teacher.
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What Are Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
Government-funded yoga courses are fairly self-explanatory by name. Applicants can use government funding to cover the cost of their qualifications.
Whilst this may seem instantly appealing, please be aware that you will need to pay these loans back, and in some instances, the government may even add interest to your debt!
To apply for these government-funded yoga courses, you will need to meet very specific criteria, which can vary depending on which loan/grant you’re applying for.
Some of the most popular options available in the UK include:
- Advanced Learner Loan
- Low-Value Provision Scheme
Let’s explore these in more detail:
#1 Advanced Learner Loan
The UK government offers ‘Advanced Learner Loans’ to people over the age of 19 who want to complete a Level 3-6 Qualification at an approved college or training provider. The amount you receive can range between £720 and £4,835.
If you want to apply for an ‘Advanced Learner Loan’ you need to meet specific criteria outlined by the UK Government. Whether you qualify for this will depend on whether you meet requirements such as:
- Age
- Course
- College or training provider
- Nationality or residency status
When you enrol with a college or training provider, they will receive payment from Student Finance to cover the costs of your course.
Keep in mind that you will have to repay your advanced learner loan. This process begins when you earn an income over your predetermined ‘threshold’ amount – this will be outlined to you before your enrolment.
One of the major downsides of the Advanced Learner Loan is that you will be charged interest from the day you make your first repayment.
#2 Low-Value Provision Scheme
The UK government and the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) also offers the Low-Value Provision Scheme (LVP). It aims to offer short vocational and occupational training for people looking for employment in their area.
You could qualify with a Level 3 Yoga Qualification through this scheme and gain the skills you need to work in the industry.
To meet the eligibility criteria to receive LVP funding your applications need to provide:
- Evidence you’re looking for work as a yoga teacher – For example you could submit your CV to studios or attend local classes and make friends with instructors.
- Report of The Cost of Your Yoga Teacher Training – This can vary depending on your provider and how you choose to study
- Find an Advisor on Your Course – They will report back to Government about your progress
You’ll also need to agree to the terms and conditions outlined by the government in order to receive LVP-funded training if your application is successful.
You’ll also need to schedule an appointment with a DWP advisor who will:
- Guide you through the application process
- Review the documentation you’ve provided
- Make sure the yoga training meets the requirements for funding
Once you’ve submitted your application, it will remain active for 12 months or until your employment status changes.
It’s expected that each application that is submitted to DWP can take several weeks to be processed. Which is one of the major downsides to applying for this loan, as it can severely delay your career progression.
It can also be challenging to find a Level 3 Yoga Course provider that accepts funding from the LVP scheme, which could further delay the time it takes to qualify.
Is There a Government Grant for Yoga Teacher Training?
Yes, you can receive a government grant for yoga teacher training. One of the most popular examples being, the Military Resettlement Grant the benefit of receiving which is that you won’t need to pay it back and it’s completely tax free!
According to the RAF website, you can receive up to £15,047 which will be added on to your final month’s salary.
However, keep in mind that despite the way it’s worded, the Military Resettlement Grant this is not a pension or an equivalent. It’s a lump sum paid to service personnel who are not eligible for:
- Early Departure Payment
- Immediate Pension
- Ill Health Award
Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- AFPS 2015 and AFPS 2005: all personnel need to have 12 years’ relevant service (from date of entry)
- AFPS 1975: Officers to have at least 2 years’ Commissioned service and have 9 relevant years of reckonable service from age 21
- AFPS 1975: other ranks to have 12 relevant years of reckonable service from age 18.
There are no specific government grants for yoga teacher training. Therefore it may be worth looking into general grants and bursaries available to adult learners on the UK.Gov website.
How Long Will I Have to Wait to Get My Yoga Teacher Training Government Funded?
Yoga teacher training that is government funded is not instantaneous and it can take some time to be approved. For example, the Advanced Learner Loan can take up to two weeks to be processed.
This time is used to review your application which will look into your residential and financial status.
It’s important when filling out any application that you provide all the correct information and supporting evidence. Even small inconsistencies or mistakes can result in your application being delayed or outright rejected, forcing you to start the process all over again.
What is a ‘Self Funded’ Yoga Teacher Training Course?
When you enrol on a self-funded yoga teacher training course, you will pay the course provider yourself.
There are many benefits to completing a self-funded yoga course compared to a government-funded one, including it:
- Being a fraction of the cost– Self-funded courses don’t rely on government subsidies that normally come with administrative costs, allowing for lower-priced courses.
- Offering no added interest– Meaning you pay a fixed cost for your course and don’t have to worry about interest rates increasing how much you repay on a government-funded course.
- Coming with a flexible payment plan- Self-funded courses such as the ones available at OriGym allow you to pay in instalments, giving you control over how much you’re able to pay each month.
The cost of self-funded yoga teacher training courses can vary depending on which provider you choose.
Several factors can influence the overall price of your qualification. We cover this topic in greater detail in our article exploring ‘How Much Does Yoga Teacher Training Cost?’.
Are Government-Funded Yoga Courses The Same As Non-Funded Options?
Yes, they are! Regardless of whether you enrol on a self-funded or a government funded yoga course you’ll receive a Level 3 Yoga Teacher Training Qualification.
You should always check that the training you receive from your provider is regulated by a body such as Ofqual, who is responsible for setting the framework for vocational training courses.
If a course is Ofqual-regulated, it will be labelled according to its level such as OriGym’s a Level 3 Yoga Teaching Diploma.
A non-regulated course can delay the start of your yoga career, potentially undermining the skills you need as a yoga professional. Unregulated qualifications aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on and will likely be free or extremely cheap.
Whilst this may seem tempting, be sure to learn more about why you should avoid these providers with this article on ‘Free Yoga Teacher Training’
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If you’re enjoying this article, why don’t give these a read:
- How To Become A Yoga Instructor
- What Makes A Good Yoga Teacher?
- How Long Does It Take To Become A Yoga Instructor
What Are The Differences Between Self-Funded And Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
It’s important to understand the difference between self-funded and government-funded yoga courses before enrolling on a specific qualification.
Here are five key factors to consider:
#1 Government-Funded Yoga Courses Are More Expensive
Government-funded yoga teacher training courses often come with higher overall costs. Providers do this because they know that a student will get a higher grant from the government in order to cover the cost of the qualification.
Compare this to OriGym, where we offer self-funded Level 3 Yoga Teacher Training courses from £935 – with no hidden fees or interest included!
Both providers offer the same qualification following graduation, so why would any student want to pay more?
#2 Self-Funded Yoga Courses Offer Flexible Repayments
How you pay for your yoga teaching courses will also greatly differ depending on whether you opt for a government or self-funded option.
Training providers that offer government funded yoga teacher courses will typically require you to pay the entire sum of the course up front.
Self-funded courses offer much more flexibility, for example providers such as OriGym will allow you to set up a payment plan. With this, you can spread the cost of your course and pay in instalments.
On top of this, self-funded alternatives (OriGym included) won’t add any interest on what you owe, the price you see is the price you’ll pay. The same cannot be said for government loans, which can increase with added interest over the course of time.
Another advantage of self-funded courses is that if you can pay up front, the provider will typically offer you some kind of discount. Whereas government funded yoga teacher training will simply take the entire lump sum of your qualification with no special deal or offer provided.
#3 Government-Funded Courses Include Interest Charges
There are government-funded loans, such as the Advanced Learner Loan, that tie their interest rates to inflation. This means you’ll pay interest on your loan beginning with your first repayment until the loan has been fully repaid or after 25 years when the loan is written off.
The interest rate for this type of loan is RPI + up to 3% and will be included in the repayments you make once you earn over £27,295.
This can lead to higher costs over time and should be something to consider before choosing to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.
By contrast, self-funded course providers such as OriGym don’t charge interest rates on qualifications. This can make them a more cost-effective option if you’re looking to reduce the cost of your yoga course over time.
#4 Self-Funded Courses Let You Choose Your Study Method
If you opt for a government funded yoga teacher training course, you may notice that you’re limited to a very specific study option. Most providers that offer this payment option typically require students to study in person.
This is due to the fact that in order to receive government funding you will need to adhere to strict rules and regulations. For example:
- Your attendance will be recorded
- Your progress will be monitored
- You will need to meet a certain number of teaching hours per week
- You will need to provide evidence to the government that you’re looking for work
Self-funded courses, by contrast, offer greater flexibility, allowing you to choose a study method that suits your preferred learning style and schedule.
Some learning options on offer to you will include:
- Online
- Part-time
- Full-time
These choices allow you to learn and qualify in a manner that suits you best. This will make for an enjoyable experience that benefits you in the long run.
#5 Government-Funded Courses Have Strict Eligibility Requirements
If you want to receive government-funding you need to make sure you meet very specific criteria. This will typically be outlined during your application process, for example the Advanced Learner Loan will take into account your:
- Age
- Chosen course
- College or training provider
- Nationality or residency status
However, self-funded qualifications will typically have fewer entry requirements in place, making them more accessible to students from different backgrounds.
For example, OriGym’s Level 3 Yoga Teacher Training is an entry level qualification suitable for students of all abilities and experience levels. The only requirement is that you must be aged 16+ prior to your enrolment.
Does Every Course Provider Offer Government-Funded Yoga Courses?
There are only a small number of training providers who offer government funding for yoga courses. If you want to enrol on a government-funded course, you’ll likely have to accept the limitations to your course, such as:
- Study Method – Government-funded courses are usually online, limiting your ability to receive face-to-face tuition
- Student Support – They may also offer limited support, reducing access to tutoring or mentorship.
- Teaching Resources – Government-funded courses may lack advanced materials and access to workshops
- Post-Course Support –may be limited to government-funded courses
This is different from self-funded yoga courses, which will provide you with a broader range of providers to choose from. This allows you to make a more informed decision and select a course that better suits your learning goals.
Before You Go!
Becoming a yoga instructor can be the start of a rewarding journey that can begin with choosing the right training provider. It can equip you with the skills and set the foundations for a successful career in yoga.
If you’re interested in pursuing a self-funded yoga course, you could start your journey today with OriGym’s Level 3 Diploma in Yoga.
Download our prospectus and turn your passion into a career that inspires others!
