Education Maintenance Allowance

EMA: how much could you receive?

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) comes in weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account. However, you will only receive your money if you regularly attend, work hard on your course and you achieve the College’s required standards of behaviour and effort.

On top of your weekly amount you can also receive bonuses - but only if you do well and meet the targets set by your teacher, tutor or provider.

Your age

You need to be 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or be about to leave, compulsory education.

Your course

You need to be enrolled on a course in England which is one of the following:

• A full-time further education course at a college or school
• An LSC-funded Diploma (where available) or a course that leads to an Apprenticeship
• An LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) course (if you’re on an e2e course, you’ll receive the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment regardless of your household income).

Your household income

To qualify for EMA in the academic year starting September 2009, your annual household income must be below £30,810 (for tax year 2008-09). Also there’s good news if you have a part-time job - any money you earn isn’t included in your overall household income.

Your household income (for financial year 2008-09)

up to £20,817 per year £30 per week

£20,818 - £25,521 per year £20 a week

£25,522 - £30,810 per year £10 a week

more than £30,810 per year no entitlement to EMA

Already receiving EMA?

If you’re already receiving EMA and want to continue your course, you may be automatically eligible for the same payments during 2009/10 - even if your household income has increased.

Does EMA affect other benefits?

No, EMA does not affect any other household benefits. So your parents and carers are still free to keep claiming child benefit, tax credits and so on.

If you have children, you may be able to apply for Care to Learn as well as EMA meaning you could get extra help with childcare costs.

Applications for EMA

The learner support service provider is responsible for assessing applications. Learners should contact the helpline number 0800 121 8989 with any questions.

You can obtain an application form by logging onto ema.direct.gov.uk or by calling 0800 121 8989 or by collecting one from the College or a Connexions office.