Correspondence

DfE Update further education: 30 April 2025

Published 30 April 2025

Applies to England

1. Information:Ìý16 to 19 funding rules for 2025 to 2026

We have published theÌýfunding rules guidance for academic year 2025 to 2026Ìý(previously known as ‘funding regulationsâ€�).

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse 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:ÌýAdult skills fund (ASF) â€� funding rules, funding rates and formula guidance for 2025 to 2026

We have published the following adult skills fund (ASF) 2025 to 2026 documents:Ìý

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappse apply to all providers of education and training who receive ASF funding from the Department for Education (DfE).

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappre are minimal changes from the previous year. You can see a full breakdown of the changes in the ‘What’s newâ€� sections of both guides.

If you have any questions after reading our guides, you can contact us through theÌý.

3. Information:ÌýAdvanced learner loans â€� launch of the application service for 2025 to 2026

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappÌýadvanced 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 updatedÌýlearning and funding information letters for 2025 to 2026Ìýare available on GOV.UK.

4. Information:ÌýGetting a better understanding of your Individualised Learner Record (ILR) data

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappÌýÌýwithin the submit learner data (SLD) service shows the funding values that are calculated based on yourÌýÌýfile submission.

Your funding data is all in one place and updates almost instantly each time you submit an ILR orÌýearnings adjustment statement (EAS)Ìýfile.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp dashboard is split into ‘Funding summaryâ€� and ‘Contract valueâ€�, so you canÌýÌýsee:

  • 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 â€� Finance Dashboardsâ€� within theirÌýÌýaccount.

You can read more aboutÌýunderstanding your fundingÌýon our guidance page.

Our development of this dashboard is ongoing, and we welcomeÌýÌýto help us improve it.