Education Maintenance Allowance is a scheme providing help to people studying or permanently resident in some regions of the UK. The payment is available for eligible students aged 16 to 18 who wish to receive weekly help with the cost of education.
What is the Education Maintenance Allowance?
The Education Maintenance Allowance is a financial scheme which is open to students and those undertaking unpaid work-based learning in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The scheme is no longer available to students in England.
Those aged 16 to 19 whose parents have a certain level of taxable income may qualify for the scheme.
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Why is EMA not offered in England?
The Education Maintenance Allowance in England is now closed.
Schools and colleges instead have funds to award bursaries to people in need aged 16 to 19.
For those in care, care leavers, claiming Income Support of Universal Credit, receiving Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, or those receiving Universal Credit and either DLA or PIP, a bursary of up to £1,200 may be paid each year.
How much can you get with EMA?
Education Maintenance Allowance payments are doled out weekly in £30 instalments.
For those living in Northern Ireland, an additional bonus payment may be given if students continue to do well and meet targets set out by teachers.
You will only receive the EMA amount if you regularly attend school or college and work hard on your course.
The money is not affected by any income you receive from part-time work.
Furthermore, the EMA will have no bearing on any benefits the parents of claimants receive.
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How to claim Education Maintenance Allowance
You can claim EMA by completing application forms within each country where you are applying.
Wales
You can apply online here or by calling the EMA Customer Services line on telephone: 0300 200 4050 or textphone: 0300 100 1693.
You can also post your completed application to Wales Customer Services, PO Box 5596, Glasgow, G52 9BR.
