Education Maintenance Allowance

TSR Wiki > A Guide to Further Education > Study Help > Starting Sixth Form > EMA

What is Education Maintenance Allowance?

Education Maintenance Allowance or EMA, is a small sum of money paid weekly direct into your (the student's) bank account. Set up by the government in 2004, EMA designed to help students who may experience difficulties in financing their studies usually for those from lower income families.

Who's eligible?

You are eligible if:

• you are between 16 and 19, and are in non-compulsory education studying a full-time (10 hours per week or more) further education course, an LSC-funded Entry to Employment programme, or a course that leads to an apprenticeship, and
• the parents, relatives or guardians that you live with are earning less than a certain level, which changes every year (but is normally around £30,000), and
• you do not receive a Dance and Drama Award, an Adult Learning Grant, Jobseekers' Allowance or an NHS Bursary, and
• you live in the UK.

How much do I get?

A regular weekly sum of either £10, £20 or £30 (depending on your household income - see website for details) as long as you attend your school, college or other educational institution when you are required to and abide by the terms set out by your learning provider, with regards to your attendance, coursework and general progress. You may also qualify for bonus payments; your teacher or tutor will determine what you need to do to qualify for these.

What's the catch?

No catch. EMA doesn't affect your parents' or guardians' benefits, doesn't affect your entitlement to Learner Support Funds or Care to Learn, and doesn't stop you working part-time. EMA is primarily for those who would struggle financially by attending sixth form; however, once the money is in your bank account, it's up to you to decide what to do with it, and you're not obliged to spend it on school equipment. However, you can't apply for EMA if you receive a Dance and Drama Award, an Adult Learning Grant, Jobseekers' Allowance or an NHS Bursary.

How do I apply?

Like this.

Further details

• See the EMA website for further information.
• Ask your questions in the EMA thread on our forums.

Also See

• A Guide to Further Education
• A Levels
• FE Vocational Qualifications
• Starting Sixth Form