16 to 19 education: funding guidance
Rules and guidance for using 16 to 19 formula funding allocated by ESFA.
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 2020 to 2021
These guidance documents covers the period 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021 and are our current advice for the funding year. We know that providers are working through exceptional circumstances due to coronavirus (COVID-19). We may publish further updates to these guidance documents about the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on our guidance as these become clear. We will tell you about any changes in our ESFA Update.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued hard work in these difficult times.
For further information, please read this guidance to help schools and other educational settings provide advice for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students about coronavirus (COVID-19).
We will start to publish the rest of the guides for academic year 2020 to 2021 from April. We will let you know when they are available in the ESFA update.
Funding regulations
The funding regulations guide for 2020 to 2021 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 2020 to 2021 provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculation.
Individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns
The ILR funding returns guide for 2020 to 2021 gives technical advice on making final funding claims. It sets out the reconciliation process for contract institutions.
Subcontracting controls
The subcontracting controls guide for 2020 to 2021 sets out ESFA compliance and control requirements and advice for all directly funded institutions that use third parties to deliver provision.
Funding guidance for institutions 2019 to 2020
Funding regulations
The funding regulations guide for 2019 to 2020 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 2019 to 2020 provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculation.
Individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns
The ILR funding returns guide for 2019 to 2020 gives technical advice on making final funding claims. It sets out the reconciliation process for contract institutions.
This document will not apply to schools and academies returning data through the school census.
Subcontracting controls
The subcontracting controls guide for 2019 to 2020 sets out ESFA compliance and control requirements and advice for all directly funded institutions that use third parties to deliver provision.
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.
Funding guidance for institutions 2018 to 2019
Funding regulations
The funding regulations guide for 2018 to 2019 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 2018 to 2019 provides information on the funding rates and formula used for 16 to 19 funding calculation.
Individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns
The ILR funding returns guide for 2018 to 2019 gives technical advice on making final funding claims. It also sets out the reconciliation process for contract institutions.
This document will not apply to schools and academies returning data through the school census.
Sub-contracting controls
The sub-contracting controls guide for 2017 to 2018 sets out ESFA compliance and control requirements and advice for all directly funded institutions that use third parties to deliver provision.
Model contract for services/funding agreements
Additional resources for institutions
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
ESFA has developed presentations for institutions to use internally to audiences who are required to understand the funding procedures and guidance. These cover:
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ILR funding returns
Funding guidance for previous years
Academic year 2017 to 2018 – 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
Published 10 March 2014
Last updated 28 July 2020 + show all updates
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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.
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