16 to 19 education: funding guidance
Rules and guidance for using 16 to 19 formula funding allocated by ESFA.
Applies to England
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 the guidance documents for each academic year that all education institutions receiving 16 to 19 formula funding must comply with.
Funding guidance for institutions
2024 to 2025
Funding regulations
The funding regulations guide for 2024 to 2025 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 for 2024 to 2025 provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculations.
2023 to 2024
Funding regulations
The funding regulations guide for 2023 to 2024 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 for 2023 to 2024 provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculations.
Individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns
We published the ILR funding returns guide in April 2023.
Previous years
You can find the guides for previous 3 years on the main pages
Subcontracting post-16 education and training guide
Model contract for services/funding agreements
Additional resources for institutions
16 to 19 maths and English conditions of funding
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 is available on GOV.UK.
The document the process for seeking young people’s funding for qualifications 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:
- funding regulations
- funding rates and formula
- student eligibility guidance
- ILR funding returns
- Subcontracting control regulations
Archived guidance
Academic year 2018 to 2019 - 2014 to 2015
- Funding regulations, subcontracting controls, rates and formula and ILR returns guides are available at the National Archives
Academic year 2013 to 2014 - 2011 to 2012
- Funding regulations, subcontracting controls, rates and formula and ILR returns guides are available at the National Archives
Last updated 30 March 2023 + show all updates
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We have updated the rates and regulation sections for 2023 to 2024. We aim to publish the ILR funding returns guide before the end of June 2023.
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We have updated links to published guides for 2022 to 2023
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We have added a link to the 2021 to 2022 funding regulations advice.
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We have updated the ILR funding returns guidance for 2020 to 2021
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We have added a link to the funding guidance for young people 2020 to 2021 subcontracting controls
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We have included the link to the funding regulations for 2020 to 2021 academic year
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We have added the rates and formula guide for academic year 2020 to 2021.
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Links to 2018 to 2019 16 to 19 funding guidance documents have been added.
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Information for institutions for academic year 2018 to 2019 has been added.
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Information added about new clauses in the 2017 to 2018 post-16 funding agreements and contracts in respect of requirements to report safeguarding incidents.
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The sub-contracting controls 2016 to 2017 section has been updated
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information on ILR funding return for 2015 to 2016 has been added
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2014 to 2015 Sub Contracting guidance added
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First published.