Adult Education in Gloucestershire Fees & Charges Policy 2025/26

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy sets out how Adult Education in Gloucestershire (AEiG) determines, publishes, and administers tuition fees, examination fees, and other charges for learning delivered to adults (19+) across Gloucestershire for the 1 August 2025 – 31 July 2026 funding year. It ensures compliance with the Department for Education (DfE) Adult Skills Fund (ASF) funding rules and performance management requirements, including changes introduced in 2025/26. [gov.uk]

It applies to:

• Accredited learning funded via ASF (legal entitlements and other fundable provision)
• Tailored Learning (non-qualification/community learning defined within ASF)
• Full cost/commercial courses and any provision not eligible for public funding
• Advanced Learner Loans (ALL) eligible courses.

2. Policy Principles

Adult Education in Gloucestershire balances service sustainability with affordability and access, aligning fees to national rules, local need, and market conditions. AEiG’s annual planning will use DfE guidance, local demand analysis, and historic delivery to set fees. [gov.uk]

Key principles:

• Compliance first: All fee decisions comply with ASF funding and allocation rules
• Transparency: AEiG publishes clear fee information prior to enrolment and itemises invoices/receipts where applicable
• Equity: No learner is denied access to legal entitlements due to fees
• Proportionate charges: Fees reflect delivery cost, funding eligibility, and competitive local benchmarks.

3. Funding Context (Gloucestershire)

AEiG is grant funded by the DfE to deliver the Community Learning and Adult Skills Programme. For the 2025/26 academic year, Gloucestershire County Council is authorised to enter into the DfE funding agreement and procure adult learning services.

4. Definitions

·     ASF (Adult Skills Fund): Replaces the Adult Education Budget; rules updated 30 Apr 2025 and 9 Sep 2025. [gov.uk]

·     Legal Entitlements: Statutory free offers for eligible adults (English & maths up to L2; first full L2 for 19–23; first full L3 for 19–23; Essential Digital Skills up to L1)

·     Tailored Learning: Non-qualification/community learning within ASF delivering wider outcomes (health, parenting, strong communities), with updated definition in 2025/26

·     Unemployed (ASF definition): As per ASF rules, including specified benefits/earnings thresholds under Universal Credit

·     Earnings Threshold (ET): National ASF £25,750 gross annual earnings (from July 2025) enabling full funding up to L2 and L3 offers for eligible employed/self-employed learners (non-devolved).

5. Fee Categories and Eligibility

5.1 Provision that is Free to Eligible Learners (Subject to Evidence)

AEiG will fully fund (no tuition/exam fees) for learners who meet ASF eligibility under:

Legal Entitlements:

• • English & maths up to Level 2 (if not previously achieved GCSE grade 4/C)
  • Essential Digital Skills up to Level 1
  • First full Level 2 (19–23)
  • First full Level 3 (19–23).

Earnings ThresholdEmployed/self-employed learners earning < £25,750 (gross, excluding benefits) may be fully funded up to and including Level 2 and for applicable Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ) Level 3 offers, subject to current ASF rules and list. Evidence within 3 months of start (recent payslip, UC statement showing take-home pay, or employment contract stating gross wages).

Unemployed learners as defined by ASF (including UC/JSA/ESA thresholds) may be fully funded for eligible aims up to Level 2 and for Level 3 (FCFJ) where criteria apply.

FCFJ Expansion: From 2025, the offer has been updated; learners are funded through FCFJ lines irrespective of age/start date; selected Level 2 construction qualifications are added to the offer. Check current DfE lists at enrolment.

Evidence requirement: AEiG must record and retain evidence of eligibility/earnings threshold in line with ASF audit expectations.

Co-funded Provision

Where learners do not meet full funding criteria (above), AEiG will apply co-funded fees in line with ASF rules and local pricing, typically a proportion of the full cost (with AEiG claiming the funded balance via ASF). [gov.uk]

Full Cost/Commercial Courses

Courses outside ASF eligibility or designed for employers/individuals at commercial rates will be priced on full cost recovery with a margin, reflecting class size, delivery model, materials, venue, assessment and market rates. Pricing approval via annual curriculum/budget processes.

Advanced Learner Loans (ALL)

For designated courses at Level 3–6, tuition fees may be met via Advanced Learner Loans; application service opens June 2025 for starts from 1 Aug 2025. AEiG will publish loan eligibility and provide learning & funding information letters.

Tailored Learning (Community Learning)

AEiG will use its Tailored Learning allocation to deliver non-qualification community learning focussed on health & wellbeing, parenting/family learning, digital skills, green skills, employability, and community engagement. Fees may be waived or nominal to ensure access for priority groups; when charged, they will be modest and transparent.

6. Local Devolution Note

Gloucestershire remains funded via the national ASF; DfE continues to adjust allocations to account for new devolved areas (York & North Yorkshire, East Midlands, Cornwall from Academic Year 2025/26). AEiG will monitor any future devolution changes affecting funding/eligibility and update this policy accordingly.

7. Setting, Publishing, and Reviewing Fees

• Annual Setting: AEiG sets fees each year against ASF funding rates and performance guidance; when determining allocations, AEiG prioritises providers and delivery areas with a proven track record of strong performance, including high learner achievement, retention, and progression outcomes.

The annual review also considers:

-        Changes in national funding rules and eligibility criteria

-        Local labour market needs and skills priorities

-        Historical delivery data and quality assurance findings

-        Benchmarking against similar providers to maintain competitiveness.

• Publication: AEiG will publish fees per course on its website and course materials; a clear statement on whether a course is fully funded, co-funded, loan funded, or full cost. (Consistent with AEiG transparency practice in prior years.)
• Review: Fees and charging decisions reviewed annually and when DfE rules change.

8. Evidence and Audit

AEiG must retain eligibility evidence, learning agreements, and fee records to meet DfE audit/assurance requirements (including ILR data quality and performance management updates introduced in 2025/26). 

9. Payment Terms

·     Fees are payable at enrolment, unless instalments are offered (published per course)

·     Where co-funded, AEiG will clearly show the learner’s payable amount and the funded balance

·     Employer funded or commissioned provision will be invoiced under contract terms.
(AEiG practice—consistent with earlier fees policy statements.)

10. Refunds, Transfers, and Cancellations

Please note that Adult Education in Gloucestershire reserves the right to amend course details—including the date, time, content, or tutor—if circumstances beyond our control require it. We also reserve the right to cancel a course at any time, including on the day it is due to take place.

In the unlikely event of a cancellation or postponement, we will make every effort to offer an alternative date. If the alternative is not suitable, a full refund will be issued. Refunds will be processed as promptly as possible and can only be made to the original payment method.

Learner withdrawals: Pro-rata refunds may apply for medical or exceptional circumstances (evidence required)

Exam fees: Refunds subject to awarding body deadlines/charges.

If a learner does not pass an assessment, it is their responsibility to arrange and pay for a reassessment directly with Adult Education in Gloucestershire.

11. Concessions and Hardship Support

Adult Education in Gloucestershire may waive or reduce fees for priority groups where fees are a barrier, within ASF rules (e.g., Tailored Learning, unemployed learners under ASF, low waged under ET). Criteria and application processes will be published and administered fairly. 

For learners with financial hardship various fee support routes may be available to fund their tuition and other fees. Currently the main alternatives are as follows:

Discretionary Learner Support Funds for example for help with travel, course materials and equipment, or childcare costs (please see Gloucestershire’s Adult Education Service Discretionary Learner Support Policy for eligibility). https://www.gov.uk/learner-support

Adult learning grants.

Any applicable government scheme.

Learners applying to the Discretionary Learner Support Fund for help towards fees may still be expected to contribute.

12. Pound plus

Pound Plus refers to the additional income or value that learning providers generate beyond their core funding from the Department for Education’s Adult Education Budget (AEB). It demonstrates how providers maximise the impact of public investment and ensure sustainability in adult learning.

A climate of limited public funding, generating supplementary income and resources is essential to widening participation and supporting disadvantaged learners. Pound Plus includes both cash income and in-kind contributions, reflecting a provider’s commitment to inclusivity and value for money.

Sources of Pound Plus Value - Additional value may come from:

·     External income: Grants, course fees, sponsorships, and successful tenders

·     Operational savings: Reduced accommodation costs, shared resources, and efficiencies

·     In-kind contributions: Free publicity, staff time from partner organisations, donated equipment, or free/reduced venue hire

·     Volunteer support: Classroom assistance, learner mentoring, curriculum input, and community outreach.

Reinvestment of Pound Plus - All additional income and value generated through Pound Plus is reinvested to:

·       Subsidise targeted courses, making them free for priority learners

·       Develop new learning opportunities for underrepresented groups and disadvantaged communities

·       Deliver provision in smaller or less cost-effective settings, ensuring access in priority neighbourhoods and rural areas.

13. Subcontracting

AEiG may commission partners under the Adult Education: Community & Skills Programme 2024–2026 Framework, following AEiG’s Subcontracting Fees & Charges Policy and ESFA/DfE requirements (publication, declarations, due diligence, quality assurance). Retained funding is proportionate to services provided (management, QA, MIS, safeguarding). [gloucester...ire.gov.uk]

14. Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

AEiG will provide impartial IAG to help learners choose the right course, understand fee status, and progression routes—working with external partners such as The National Careers Service and Gloucestershire Skills & Employment Hub. 

15. Communications and Complaints

Fee queries and complaints are handled under AEiG’s Complaints & Appeals Procedure and standard council policies. AEiG will correct any fee mis-statements promptly and fairly. 

16. Governance and Review

This policy is approved by GAB and reviewed annually or upon DfE rule changes. Any mid‑year amendments resulting from DfE updates (e.g., ASF residency, ET adjustments, FCFJ scope) will be published and communicated to learners/staff.

Appendix 1

Government contribution table 1: 19 to 23-year-olds