Education Maintenance Allowance(EMA)
What is EMA?
The EMA scheme is a government led financial scheme aimed at helping young people who want to study in full-time further education. The EMA is a means-tested allowance with payments ranging from £10 to £30 per week, depending on household income. For the 2008/9 academic year the income used in the assessment will be the household (taxable) income of the 2007/08 tax year.
Who is eligible?
- A student must have completed year 11, be over the age of 16 and going into full-time further education; or entering a Learning and Skills Council Entry to Employment (LSC E2E) course or taking a learning programme that leads to an apprenticeship.
- Students must be studying full-time (12 hours a week guided learning or more) at a school, college, or training provider on a course leading towards a recognised qualification e.g. National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3, AS/A level, Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC) National, etc.
- Students in full-time education are entitled to Child Benefit until their 19th birthday. (Child Benefit Help Line: 08701 555540)
Conditions of the EMA
- Before any payment is made to a student, a two-part Learning Contract must be completed and returned to their place of study.
- The Learning Contract also runs in conjunction with the place of study's policies on behaviour and conduct.
- If the place of study believes that the Learning Contract has been broken, it can stop payment for that week.
- The EMA is available for a maximum of 3 years, except for students with learning difficulties where EMA is available for up to 4 years.
- The EMA does not affect any benefits received into the household and should not be counted towards household income.
How is EMA paid?
- EMA is paid during term-time only.
- The payment is made on a weekly basis (one week in arrears) provided the student meets the conditions of the Learning Contract.
- The payment is made directly to the student's bank account, therefore the student must have his/her own bank account which can receive an electronic transfer.
For the up to date financial qualifying criteria and weekly payments please visit the EMA website.
Bonus payments are also made to students, as long as students have good attendance and have shown progress in their studies.
How to apply
The EMA scheme is administered by a national Assessment and Payment Body (APB), who are responsible for assessing and making weekly payments for all applications.
If you have any enquiries regarding EMA applications or require an application form you can contact the APB on 0800 121 8989
Application forms are also available from your school, by telephoning 0800 121 8989 or online at the EMA website.
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