What is the Adult Skills Fund?
A concise explainer of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) for England and how learners usually experience it via providers — with a link to our longer guide.
Quick answer
The Adult Skills Fund is a major English government funding stream paying approved providers to deliver adult education that meets policy priorities such as basic skills, employability and higher-level skills where rules allow. Learners benefit through fee remission when eligible — you do not apply to government for ASF cash personally. Final scope each year is set in official funding rules that providers must follow.
Takes a few minutes. We’ll only use your details to help you explore funded options.
Check EligibilityIf you first heard “ASF” on social media, treat it as the financial mechanism behind many college and ITP offers — not a single brand of course.
Our expanded guide What is the Adult Skills Fund? walks through implications for adults exploring Level 2 and Level 3 choices.
How does ASF relate to my eligibility?
Providers map you to an eligible category that their contract allows them to claim. When that mapping succeeds, your tuition is treated as funded within the rules — not because ASF is a grant you personally bank.
Where should I go next?
Compare government-funded courses for adults for context, then check eligibility when you want routing help.
Next steps
If you think you may be eligible, you can check in a few minutes. Browse funded course areas, see how matching works, then complete the eligibility form.
In-depth guides: Learning guides