Guidance

FIS release guide 2023 to 2024

Updated 19 December 2024

Applies to England

1. Introduction

Funding Information System (FIS) is an offline tool you can use to check your individualised learner data (ILR) against the validation rules before making an ILR submission.

2. FIS functions

  • Import and validate an ILR submission
  • Perform funding calculations
  • Export ILR data as: CSV files, SQL files or to an Access database

3. User advice

  • All versions of FIS have only been tested using the standard setup, any deviations from this setup are un-supported
  • FIS is only compatible with SQL 2012 and subsequent versions

4. Document purpose

This document provides a guide to supplement each release of the FIS. It describes the changes and other notable information about the desktop application across the 2023 to 2024 funding year for which FIS is active.

This document does not provide user guidance for the whole application. Please see the relevant documentation on the FIS user guide for 2023 to 2024 which can be found on GOV.UK.

5. 2023 to 2024 version history

FIS can be downloaded from Submit Learner Data.

The release with the highest version number will always be the latest version available. Unless there is a relevant Known Issue, users are advised to select this version when processing ILR data to achieve the most up to date results from FIS.

*Every release of FIS will contain up to date reference data which has also been loaded to Submit Learner Data this includes Funding Calculations, FALA (previously called LARS) and Organisation data updates

Version Date uploaded What we’ve changed*
2324.8 Monday 15 April Functionality:

 • Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

 • Bug Fix - ProgWeightNew field not having the expected values (FM25)
2324.7 Tuesday 20 February Bug Fix - On CSV export FIS does not use the double quote text qualifiers “value” around each of the values
2324.6 Wednesday 14 February Functionality:

 • Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

 • Bug Fix - Issue on Data Formats affects CSV export process
2324.5 Wednesday 24 January Functionality:

 • Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

 • Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnAimRef_133

 • Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - R132

 • Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnDelFamType_110

 • Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnDelFamType_114

 • Integrate to FIS - New Rule - R145
2324.4 Wednesday 13 December Functionality:

• Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule - R144
2324.3 Monday 4 December Functionality:

• Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

• Remove ESF/FM70 references

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_127

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_128

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_129

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_130

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_131

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_132

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_133

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule LearnAimRef_134

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule LearnDelFAMType_80

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule LearnStartDate_03
2324.2 Wednesday 27 September Functionality:

• Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

• Bug Fix - R140 - The rule does not appear to be finding the latest programme aim.

• Integrate to FIS - 16-19 Funding Claim Report
2324.1 Thursday 10 August 2023 First release of FIS 23/24 including:

Functionality:

• Reference data, FALA and Organisation updates

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnAimRef_117

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule - LearnDelFamType_115

• Integrate to FIS - New Rule - LearnDelFamType_116

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnDelFamType_75

•Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnDelFamType_18

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - LearnDelFamType_114

•Integrate to FIS - New Rule - LearnDelFamType_118

• Integrate to FIS - Update Rule - R138

•Integrate to FIS - New Rule - LearnDelFamType_119

6. Reports available

Reports Format 2023/24
16-19 Funding Claim Report Excel Y
16-19 Summary of Funding by Student Report CSV Y
Adult Funding Claim Report Excel Y
ALLB Occupancy report CSV Y
Apps Indicative Earnings Report CSV Y
CL Summary of Learners by Non-Single Budget Category Report Excel Y
Devolved Adult Education Destination and Progression Report CSV Y
Devolved Adult Education Funding Summary Report Excel Y
Devolved Adult Education Occupancy Report CSV Y
Funding Summary Report Excel Y
High Needs Students Detail Report CSV Y
High Needs Students Summary Report Excel Y
Main Occupancy Report CSV Y
Maths and English Report CSV Y
OfS HE Quality Control Report Excel Y
Rule Violation Report CSV Y
Rule Violations Summary Report Excel Y
Summary of Funding Model 35 Funding Report CSV Y
Trailblazer Apprenticeships Employer Incentives Report CSV Y
Trailblazer Apprenticeships Occupancy Report CSV Y

7. Known issues

Whilst we try to ensure FIS is accurate, if any issues are identified they will be captured in the ‘FIS known issues 2023 to 2024’ document filtering on the ‘Active’ statuses. This document is available via GOV.UK.

8. Contacting us

If you have a question regarding FIS and its’ functionality, then please contact the Service Desk using the

Enquiry form: ESFA enquiry form

Before reporting issues, please ensure:

  • that you are using the latest available version of FIS
  • have followed the installations guidance in the FIS user guide
  • reference data is up to date, we usually refresh this twice monthly
  • have checked the known issues document as the issue may already be identified
  • where possible please send screenshots with any queries and confirm what version of FIS the issue was found in

9. Changes to this document

Version Date Changes made
V2.0 27/09/2023 Update to release guide for version 2324.2
V1.0 10/08/2023 New FIS release guide 23/24 produced to support users