Funding guidance & compliance
Plain-English summaries of the current DfE/DWP funding rules, generated from the versioned rulesets and refreshed when official guidance changes. Every topic links to its official source.
Funding streams
How each stream is funded and calculated.16–19 study programmes
How the national 16–19 funding formula works — band hours, the programme cost weighting, retention, disadvantage and area uplifts.
2026–27Adult Skills Fund (ASF)
The Adult Skills Fund (formerly AEB) for learners aged 19+, including full and co-funding, the disadvantage uplift and how devolution changes the rules.
2026–27Apprenticeships
How apprenticeships are funded for starts from 1 August 2026: who pays what, the 80/20 payment split, extra payments, age limits on some standards, and breaks in learning. Apprentices who started earlier stay on the rules for their start year, apart from a few rules that apply to everyone.
2026–27T Levels
Two-year technical programmes for 16–19 students, funded within the 16–19 formula with a large industry placement.
2026–27High needs funding
The three-element model for students with SEND whose support costs more than £6,000, who counts as high needs, the HNS and EHC ILR flags, and 2027 to 2028 place changes.
2026–27Advanced Learner Loans
Loans for learners aged 19+ studying at levels 3 to 6, with a bursary fund and ILR loan indicators.
2026–27Skills Bootcamps
Flexible, employer-led courses of up to 16 weeks for adults, with a guaranteed job interview or progression on completion.
2026–27Free Courses for Jobs
The Free Courses for Jobs offer: fully funded level 3 qualifications, and in 2026 to 2027 some level 2 qualifications, from an approved list for eligible adults.
2026–27ESOL funding
How English for Speakers of Other Languages is funded through the Adult Skills Fund, including fee remission and entitlements.
2026–27Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
Level 4–5 technical qualifications approved as HTQs, and how they are funded through ASF, loans or HE student finance.
2026–27Multiply (adult numeracy, ended March 2025)
The adult numeracy programme that funded flexible maths provision for adults without a level 2 in maths. It ended in March 2025.
2026–27Compliances
Eligibility, achievement rates and the ILR.QAR & achievement rates
What Qualification Achievement Rates are, where the data comes from, when it is released, and how to model a year-end position.
2026–27Residency & eligibility
The residency eligibility criteria that decide whether a learner can be publicly funded. They differ by funding stream, and the Adult Skills Fund test changed from August 2025.
2026–27ILR & funding monitoring
The ILR return cycle, validation rules, and the Funding Rules Monitoring areas DfE reviews in-year.
2026–27Condition of funding: maths & English
Which 16 to 19 students must keep studying maths and English (aged 16 to 18, and up to 25 with an EHC plan), which qualifications count, the minimum teaching hours, and the funding impact if the condition is not met.
2026–27Apprenticeship off-the-job training
The off-the-job (OTJ) training requirement for apprenticeships: how much is required, what counts, and how it is recorded and evidenced.
2026–27Subcontracting & supply chain
The rules for delivering funded provision through subcontractors — fees, transparency, declarations and reducing reliance.
2026–27References
Background you'll reach for again and again.Devolved adult education
Which combined authorities hold devolved adult skills funding, how postcode devolution works, and why it changes each year.
2026–2716–19 Bursary & student support
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund: the bursary for defined vulnerable groups, discretionary bursaries and free meals in further education, with the 2026 to 2027 claim windows.
2026–27Additional Learning Support (ALS)
Funding to help adult learners with additional needs access and achieve their learning aims — distinct from 16–19 high needs.
2026–27