Why are learner eligibility checks important for ASF funding?

In this article:  Learn why you should complete thorough checks to ensure your learners are eligible for ASF-funded programmes. |  3 minute read.

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) funding rules for 2025–26 and there are multiple criteria to meet in order to be eligible for ASF funding.

As a training provider, you are responsible for ensuring that any learners enrolled on your ASF-funded course are eligible.

In this article, we’ll explain why learner eligibility checks are so important, and clarify the requirements for ASF-funded course eligibility in detail.

Who is eligible for ASF funding from the DfE?

There are four legal entitlements to full ASF funding:

• English and maths up to and including level 2 for learners aged 19 years old and over, who haven’t previously attained a GCSE at grade 4 (C) or higher or who are assessed below level 2 skill standard even if they hold a GCSE or equivalent.

• First full qualification at level 2 (learners aged 19–23).

• First full qualification at level 3 (learners aged 19–23). Note: this entitlement is delivered and funded through your Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) funding lines.

• Essential digital skills qualifications (EDSQ) and Digital Functional Skills (DFSQ) up to and including level 1 for learners aged 19 years old and over.

If a learner meets any of the above entitlement criteria, you should not charge them course fees. Eligible learners must be enrolled on Department for Education (DfE) approved qualifications.

Other eligibility criteria 

The two other key areas of eligibility to consider are residency and age. Learners must meet at least one of the criteria from each section in order to qualify for ASF funds.

Residency requirements

In order to be eligible for and receive ASF funding from the DfE, learners must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a resident in areas of England that are outside of the ‘devolved authority areas’ undertaking ASF provision

• Be a continuing ASF-funded learner who is resident in a devolved authority area but who started their learning prior to that authority’s devolution date

• Be a resident in England (including devolved authority areas)

A key change to note from the AEB to ASF is that learners should remain in England throughout their learning. Providers no longer have the discretion to continue funding where a learner is outside the country, even in temporary or emergency circumstances. You can find more information regarding residency eligibility in the full ASF funding rules.

Age requirements

There are also specific age-related criteria that must be met by learners in order to be eligible for DfE funding. Learners must meet one of the following criteria on the first day of learning:

• Be aged 19+ on 31st August within the respective funding year

• Be a 19+ continuer on a programme that began when they were 16–18 (these are funded under 16–19 methodology).

The age of the learner on the 31st August in the funding year will determine their funding stream.

For individuals aged 19 and over, the learner will be funded through the ASF funding methodology. For individuals aged 16–19 or aged 19–24 with an education health and care plan, the 16–19 funding methodology will apply.

Starting a course and receiving continued funding

Another reason why learner eligibility checks are so important is that the DfE has rules around how long funding lasts and for whom. There are also time restrictions in terms of how long the learner takes to complete their study, which may affect eligibility.

Any learner who is eligible for ASF funds at the start of their programme will be eligible for its entirety. However, should they choose to start any further learning, you’ll have to reassess their eligibility in order to receive the funding again.

Breaks in learning are also permitted, but learners must retain their original eligibility when they return. Providers do not receive ASF funding during the break and they must record All breaks and returns must be recorded correctly in the ILR.

If a learner starts a programme without being eligible, the DfE won’t fund them for the entire time they remain ineligible. During the audit process, the DfE will require evidence that eligibility was checked prior to the start of learning. You also can’t fund a learner who doesn’t complete their study in the time they have available, and any evidence collected after the course has finished would likely result in clawback of funding.

Who isn’t eligible for ASF funding from the DfE?

It’s important to understand which areas of learning are not covered by ASF funding. According to the full list on the gov.uk website, the DfE will not fund the following:

• Any qualifications, units or learning aims not listed on the DfE-approved list or the find a learning aim site

• Learners in custody, except for those released on temporary licence, who can be funded through ASF.

• Any endpoint assessment outside of normal apprenticeship standards

• Any duplicate learning, e.g. where a learner has received the same provision from another source

• Any apprenticeship training which replicates learning aims, takes place during working hours or offers career-related training which conflicts with the apprenticeships aims

• Any previously achieved qualification unless for a GCSE where the learner hasn’t achieved a grade 4 (C) or higher

• Any resits where no extra learning takes place

• Any learning breaks the learner may take during the course of studying

• Note that the DfE will also not fund any UK resident on a Tier 4 visa, or anyone who is here on holiday or unlawfully.

When completing your initial assessment of ASF eligibility, make sure your learners don’t fit any of these criteria if you want to receive funding from the DfE.

Why do you need to complete thorough eligibility checks?

The most obvious answer is that if you don’t complete thorough checks, your learners may not be eligible for funding and you won’t receive financial coverage for the training you've delivered from the DfE.

You must also complete a new assessment if your learner finishes one learning aim or programme and starts another. Never assume that they are still eligible – make sure you check that they still meet all the required criteria before applying for ASF funding for the next course.

How can Bud help?

Bud’s joined-up system is designed to improve efficiency and give you peace of mind that you’re fully compliant. Eligibility is one of the main purposes of the ASF evidence pack, and will be what stands between you and any funding. With Bud, you can go into your next DfE audit confident that your evidence matches your funding claim.

If you’re unsure about learner eligibility checks for ASF-funded courses and want to learn more about how Bud can support you, get in touch with one of our experts today.