Collection

ESFA: funding rules, rates and formula

Explains the ESFA adult education and skills funding system and the rules and rates for the the different types of funding available.

From:
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Published
11 March 2014
Last updated
4 April 2023 — See all updates

Overview

The following sections provide information and the funding rules and rates for Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) adult education and skills funding:

  • ESFA adult skills fund
  • adult education budget
  • apprenticeships
  • ESFA Skills Bootcamps
  • advanced learner loans and the bursary
  • European Social Fund funding

We have published further information on 19+ funding allocations, calculations and performance management.

16 to 19 funding

We also publish information and annual funding guidance to explain the funding system and the rates and formula for 16 to 19 provision.

ESFA adult skills fund (ASF)

The purpose of the ASF is to support adult learners in non-devolved areas to gain skills that will lead to meaningful, sustained and relevant employment, or enable them to progress to further learning which will deliver that outcome. It replaced the AEB in July 2023 following the skills for jobs consultation.

Adult education budget (AEB)

We have replaced the AEB with the ESFA ASF with effect from 1 August 2024.

Apprenticeships

ESFA Skills Bootcamps

This page sets out the details of the Skills Bootcamp funding system for learners starting Skills Bootcamps under contracts with ESFA.

Advanced learner loans

Updates to this page

Published 11 March 2014
Last updated 4 April 2023 + show all updates

  1. We have added the Earnings Adjustment Statements 2022 to 2023 to the related guidance section.

  2. We have added the adult education (AEB) funding rules for 2023 to 2024, the advanced learner loans funding rules for 2023 to 2024 and the maximum loan amounts for advanced learner loans designated qualifications for 2023 to 2024.

  3. We have added the further education adult skills funding rates and funding for innovative provision guidance under the ESFA adult skills section.

  4. Updated with 2022-2023 links for AEB.

  5. We have added the Earnings Adjustment Statements 2020 to 2021 to the related guidance section

  6. We've added links to information on the European Social Fund (ESF).

  7. We've added links to information on the European Social Fund (ESF).

  8. We have published the adult education (AEB) funding rules for 2019 to 2020, the advanced learner loans funding rules for 2019 to 2020 and the maximum loan amounts for advanced learner loans designated qualifications for 2019 to 2020.

  9. Added information about learning aim class codes

  10. Added information about the ESFA funding system for providers taking part in the career learning pilot.

  11. Added the funding calculation for 2016 to 2017.

  12. Added maximum loan amounts for advanced learner loans designated qualifications 2017 to 2018 to collection.

  13. Added the adult education budget: funding rates and formula 2017 to 2018.

  14. Added maximum loan amounts for advanced learner loans designated qualifications 2016 to 2017.

  15. Removed ESF aims catalogue 2015 to 2016 from document collection.

  16. 24+ advanced learning loans bursary funding calculation rulebase

  17. Published February 2015: Funding rates and formula 2015 to 2016

  18. Now published: Qualifications: simplified funding rates, 2015 to 2016

  19. First published.

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