If you decide to stay on at school or go to college but are worried about money you may be able to get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

WHAT IS EMA?

It is a weekly payment worth up to £30 for eligible students who are in Year 11 and planning to continue in further education. The weekly payments are intended to help cover the day-to-day costs that you have to meet when you stay on at school or college, such as travel costs, books and equipment for your course.

 

        WHO WILL BE ENTITLED TO EMA?
                    You may get EMA if:

You are a UK national

You reach 16 years old between 1^st September 2010 and 31^st August 2011.

Your household income is below £30,000 (you’ll need to talk to your parents or carers about this).

You are doing at least 12 hours of guided learning on further education courses in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and FE colleges.

FOR HOW LONG CAN I GET EMA?

Most young people will get EMA for 2-3 years, depending on how long they need to complete their studies.

WILL EMA AFFECT MY FAMILY’S OR MY OWN BENEFITS?

No. EMA is paid on top of other support and benefits provided by the Government. So your family won’t lose out on other money if you get EMA.

 

It will not affect your parents’ or carers’ Child Benefit. Plus it won’t affect any money you earn from a part-time job either.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET EMA?

You have to apply for EMA on an application form. This will ask parents/carers to give details of all the income coming into your household. You need to send your application form to the Assessment and Payment Body. This application form will be available from your high school.

 

If you are eligible for EMA you will receive a Notice of Entitlement which explains how much you could get once you have enrolled on a course and started attending school or college.

 

Once you enrol, you must sign an EMA Contract with your school or college and attend all your course sessions. This contract will set out what is expected of you in terms of:

 

Attendance

Coursework

Progress

WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION?

Free helpline for young people and parents:

08081016219