For the 2024-25 academic year, the Adult Education Budget (AEB) is now known as the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). The core principles remain similar, but this change consolidates the funding stream under a new name.

The first rule of eligibility for any learner is their age. To qualify for funding through Preston College under the ASF, an individual must be aged 19 or older on 31 August of the funding year. For the 2024-25 year, this means they must have been born on or before 31 August 2005.

Beyond age, the most critical factor for funding eligibility is residency. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) requires that learners have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for the three years immediately preceding the start of their course. This rule applies to most learners, especially non-UK nationals, and is the starting point for any eligibility check.

For example, if a course starts on 10 September 2024, the learner must prove they have been ordinarily resident in the UK since at least 10 September 2021. This residency cannot be for the main purpose of receiving full-time education. For instance, someone who came to the UK on a student visa specifically to attend a university would not be considered ordinarily resident for ASF funding purposes during that study period.

For UK nationals, demonstrating three years of ordinary residence is usually straightforward. The rules become more specific for nationals from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Following the UK's departure from the European Union, EEA nationals are no longer automatically eligible for funding based on their nationality alone. To meet the residency criteria, they must hold a valid status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

The two main statuses under the EUSS are:

• Settled Status: Granted to those who have lived in the UK for a continuous five-year period. Individuals with settled status have been ordinarily resident and meet the three-year requirement.
• Pre-settled Status: Granted to those who do not have five years' continuous residence yet. Learners with pre-settled status are also eligible for funding, provided they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the required three-year period.

A person with pre-settled status who arrived only one year ago would not meet the three-year rule, whereas someone who arrived four years ago and has pre-settled status would.

A significant change for the 2024-25 academic year relates to English and maths qualifications. Previously, funding for these subjects was often limited by a learner's prior attainment.

Now, any learner aged 19 or over who has not previously achieved a GCSE grade 4 (or equivalent C grade) in English or maths can be fully funded to study towards one. This applies regardless of their other qualifications. This is a crucial update for advisors, as it opens up opportunities for learners who may hold higher-level qualifications in other subjects but still need to improve their foundational English or maths skills.