DfE Update further education: 30 April 2025
Published 30 April 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-update-30-april-2025/dfe-update-further-education-30-april-2025
1. Information: 16 to 19 funding rules for 2025 to 2026
We have published the funding rules guidance for academic year 2025 to 2026 (previously known as ‘funding regulations’).
These rules and guidance cover the period 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 for all types of institutions (except for academies whose funded year is 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026) and is our current advice for the funding year.
Although we have changed the name of the guidance, institutions should continue using this document as they always have – its purpose and application remain unchanged.
2. Information: Adult skills fund (ASF) – funding rules, funding rates and formula guidance for 2025 to 2026
We have published the following adult skills fund (ASF) 2025 to 2026 documents:
These apply to all providers of education and training who receive ASF funding from the Department for Education (DfE).
There are minimal changes from the previous year. You can see a full breakdown of the changes in the ‘What’s new’ sections of both guides.
If you have any questions after reading our guides, you can contact us through the customer help portal.
3. Information: Advanced learner loans – launch of the application service for 2025 to 2026
The advanced learner loans application service for 2025 to 2026 will be available from 9 June 2025 for learners who wish to start eligible qualifications from 1 August 2025 funded with a loan.
Our updated learning and funding information letters for 2025 to 2026 are available on GOV.UK.
4. Information: Getting a better understanding of your Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data
The understand your funding dashboard within the submit learner data (SLD) service shows the funding values that are calculated based on your Individualised Learner Record (ILR) file submission.
Your funding data is all in one place and updates almost instantly each time you submit an ILR or earnings adjustment statement (EAS) file.
The dashboard is split into ‘Funding summary’ and ‘Contract value’, so you can see:
- totals for the current period or year to date
- year on year comparison
- breakdowns by funding models and learner numbers
- delivery against contract values
If you have access to submit ILR returns you will automatically have access to the ‘Understand your funding’ dashboard.
Colleagues who do not submit ILR returns can also get access to the dashboard. To do so, you will need to assign them with the role of ‘Submit Learner Data – Finance Dashboards’ within their DfE Sign-in account.
You can read more about understanding your funding on our guidance page.
Our development of this dashboard is ongoing, and we welcome your feedback to help us improve it.