Guidance

Adult skills fund: level 3 qualifications flow charts

Published 30 April 2025

Applies to England

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025. All activity has moved to the Department for Education (DfE). You should continue to follow these rules.

Introduction and purpose of the guidance

The flow charts below set out the options available to a learner who wishes to enrol on a level 3 qualification funded by DfE. The charts are supplementary to the adult skills fund (ASF) funding rules and advanced learner loans聽rules. These rules contain full details of each policy.

Level 3 qualifications flow charts

Chart 1: 19 to 23 year olds

Level 3 qualifications flow chart for 19 to 23 year olds

Chart 2: 24+

Level 3 qualifications flow chart for 24+

Level 3 qualifications flow charts 鈥� text version

Chart 1: 19 to 23-year-olds

Step 1: learner is below earnings threshold or unemployed

If no, go to achieved full level 3 qualification

If no

  • learner would be fully funded

If yes

  • learner may consider an advanced learner loan

Step 2: learner is below earnings threshold or unemployed

If yes

  • qualification is on the:
    • full level 3 entitlement list and delivered as part of the first full level 3 entitlement and/or
    • level 3 free courses for jobs (FCFJ)

If yes

  • learner would be fully funded

Chart 2: 24+

Step 1: learner is below earnings threshold or unemployed

If no

  • learner may consider an advanced learner loan

If yes, go to level 3 FCFJ offer

  • learner would be fully funded