What is Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

EMA is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 a week depending on your household income. The money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when you stay on at school or college – such as travel, books and equipment for your course.

It is paid directly into your bank account if you stay on in education at school or college after your GCSEs, and is available during term time for any academic or vocational course (up to level 3) which involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week.

If you’re entitled, you’ll receive your EMA payment every week of your course as long as you turn up to your classes and show commitment to your course. Most young people will be able to get EMA for two years.  Students can claim for up to three years depending on how long they need to finish their studies.

And you could also get a bonus of £100 in January and July. Bonuses depend on the progress you make with your course. That’s £400 potential extra money over the two years!

To see if you’re entitled to EMA or to apply go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/ema

You can call the EMA Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or if you are a new student applying for EMA call 0800 121 8989.

You can also obtain an application form from your local one stop shop or from an EMA officer located in any one of our 5 main centres:

What to do when your arrive at the College

The first thing you must do is complete your enrolment on an eligible course.

An eligible course is defined as a course up to and including Level 3. You must be attending for 12 hours a week or more.

An EMA officer will then ask you for your EMA Part 1 Contract (which if your application has been successful will be sent to you in the post by the national payment body).  All college EMA procedures will then be explained to you by the EMA officer.

If you have any queries regarding EMA do not hesitate to contact one of the above officers.

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