From 1 August 2025, the Department for Education is simplifying residency eligibility rules for learners funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) in non-devolved areas — including Free Courses for Jobs.
Learners will now be eligible if they are ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of learning, and the learning takes place in England.
❌ Those in the UK without lawful status
❌ Those here on a holiday or sponsorship visa
❌ Students on a visa (unless they qualify under other categories)
❌ Anyone with a residence permit that restricts study
No change to asylum seeker eligibility criteria.
The full updated funding rules will be published in early July.
Read the DfE update here.