Pupil and Student Finance

Education Maintenance Allowance

Academic Year 2008/2009

Overview

If you decide to stay on at school or go to college from September 2008, you may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

EMA is a weekly payment worth up to £30 per week for eligible students who are planning to continue in further education from September 2008. The weekly payments are intended to help cover the day-to-day costs such as travel expenses, books and equipment.

You may also qualify for bonuses worth up to £500 if your learning programme lasts for at least two years. To get these, you'll need to meet specific goals agreed between you and your school, college or provider, demonstrating real progress and commitment to your learning programme. To find how much your bonus payments could be, contact your school, college or learning provider.

All payments will be made direct to the student’s bank account.

You can apply for an EMA if you meet the following criteria:

Age:
- You reach the age of 16 between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009 and enter year 12 of full-time learning in 2008/2009 from September 2008, or,
- You reach the age of 17 between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009 and enter year 13 of full-time learning in 2008/2009 from September 2008, or,
- You reach the age of 18 between 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009 and enter a third year of full-time learning in 2008/2009 from September 2008.
Your household income is £30,810 or below per year.
You meet residency criteria:
- You're a person who is 'settled' in the UK, and been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the three years prior to the start of your learning programme, or,
- You're a national of any European Union (EU) country or the child of an EU national, and been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the three years prior to the start of your learning programme, or,
- You're a European Economic Area (EAA) migrant worker or the spouse or child of an EAA migrant worker, who is ordinarily resident in the UK at the start of your learning programme and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA throughout the three year period prior to that, or,
- You're recognised as a refugee by the UK Government, the spouse or child of a refugee, have been granted Humanitarian Protection, or have EU Temporary Protection.

Your course

You need to be enrolled on a course in England which is either:

a full-time further education course at a college or school (e.g. A levels, GCSE's or NVQ's)
an LSC-funded Diploma (where available) or a course that leads to an Apprenticeship
an LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) course (if your e2e course starts on or after 30 June 2008, you'll get the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment, regardless or your household income)

Does EMA affect other types of financial help?

If you're 16 to 19 and receiving EMA, you may also qualify for Learner Support Funds or (if you have children) Care to Learn.

You are not entitled to receive EMA if you receive a Dance and Drama Award, Adult Learning Grant, Jobseekers Allowance or NHS Bursary.

If your household income or circumstances change

There are some family circumstances which can affect your EMA entitlement.
These are:

the death of a parent or carer
becoming estranged from a parent or carer, and receiving Income Support
becoming a parent yourself, and having care of your child
the disability of a parent or carer

If you've applied for EMA and are affected by any of the above, let the Assessment and Payment Body (APB) know - they may need to reassess your EMA for the year. Call the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Your parent, carer or Connexions Personal Advisor can contact EMA on your behalf if necessary.

If you have a part-time job - any money you earn is not included in your overall household income.

Dose EMA affect other benefits?

EMA does not affect any other household benefits. So your parents and carers are still able to keep claiming child benefit, tax credits, etc.

If you have children, you could get EMA at the same time as Care to Learn, meaning possible extra help with childcare costs.

Applying for assistance

If you require more information regarding EMA or you would like to apply, please contact the Assessment Payment Body (APB) on free phone 0800 121 8989 or visit the EMA website at: www.direct.gov.uk/ema. Alternatively, you may be able to pick up an application form from your school, college or connexions adviser.

Weekly payments

If the household income is less than £30,810 the following table provides an indication as to what you may be entitled to.

If your household income is:

Up to £20,817 per year	You will get £30 per week
£20,818 - £25,521 per year	You will get £20 per week
£25,522 - £30,810 per year	You will get £10 per week
More that £30,810 per year	No entitlement to EMA