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Education Maintenance Allowance - EMA
Get paid to learn!
Are you planning to stay in full-time learning after Year 11? Then you may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to help towards some of the costs of your course or training programme.
Who can get an EMA?
To get an EMA you must be on one of the following types of courses:
- a full-time FE course at school or college
- an Entry 2 Employment (E2E) programme
- on a course that leads to an Apprenticeship (on which you are not employed nor receiving a wage)
Also, your household income must be below a certain level (see below).
From 30 June 2008, if you start on E2E, you will get the maximum allowance of £30 a week, regardless of family income.
How much could I get?
The amount of your EMA depends on your family income.
EMAs are paid to people whose family income is below £30,810 (2007/08 figures). Payments are £10, £20 or £30 a week depending on your family's income. There are bonus payments too, which if your course lasts 2 years can add up to £500.
Your EMA is paid to you, directly into your bank account. So if you haven't already got one, you will need to open a bank account before you apply.
An EMA is extra to any other money or benefits you or your family might get. It won't affect any money you earn from a part-time job or benefits paid to your family.
It sounds good, but are there any catches?
As part of your EMA, you will also be asked to sign a contract with your school,college or training centre, agreeing what is expected of you in terms of :
- Attendance
- Coursework
- Progress
And as long as you keep your side of the agreement your EMA will continue to be paid.
So what do I have to do?
Don't wait until you start your course - if you think you might get an EMA - register now for your application form & pack. Follow the link here for details.
Show this information to your parents / carers. They will have to give details of their income when you apply.
And open a bank account if you haven't already got one - because you'll need these details for your application.
