16 to 19 education: funding guidance
Rules and guidance for using 16 to 19 formula funding allocated by ESFA.
Applies to England
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025. All activity has moved to the Department for Education (DfE). You should continue to follow this guidance.
Overview
Colleges, providers, schools and academies receive annual funding allocations from Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the provision of 16 to 19 education.
We have published further information on how 16 to 19 funding works, including detailed information on the 16 to 19 funding formula. You can read more about how we allocate funding on the 16 to 19 funding allocations page.
On this page, you will find guidance that all education institutions receiving 16 to 19 formula funding must comply with.
Funding guidance for institutions
You can find the guidance for the previous 3 academic years on each of the pages linked to in these sections.
Funding rules
The funding rules provides the funding principles, rules on eligibility and other regulations used in the 16 to 19 funding model.
Rates and formula
The rates and formula guide provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculations.
Individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns
The ILR funding returns guide gives advice about ILR returns for institutions funded by the ESFA.
Subcontracting post-16 education and training guide
The subcontracting post-16 education and training guide provides guidance on how to seek written approval when awarding a contract to a subcontractor for the first time.
Model contract for services/funding agreements
You can find model funding agreements and contracts for each of the education and training providers we fund on the ESFA funding agreements and contracts collection page.
Additional resources for institutions
16 to 19 maths and English conditions of funding
You can find information on the condition of funding for 16 to 19 students without GCSE grade 9 to 4, A* to C or equivalent qualification in maths and/or English on GOV.UK.
The process for seeking young people’s funding for qualifications guidance describes the process involved in seeking public funding in England for the delivery of a qualification to students who are at least aged 14 but are not yet 19 years of age.
Funding guidance presentations
We have developed presentations for institutions to use internally to audiences who are required to understand the funding procedures and guidance. These cover:
Archived guidance
Academic year 2011 to 2012 – 2013 to 2014
Funding regulations, subcontracting controls, rates and formula and ILR returns guides are available at the National Archives.
Academic year 2014 to 2015 – 2018 to 2019
Funding regulations, subcontracting controls, rates and formula and ILR returns guides are available at the National Archives.