main content Education Maintenance Allowance

EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) is a means-tested weekly payment, paid to eligible students aged 16 staying in education, to help cover the day-to-day costs that they have to meet when they stay on at school or college such as travel costs, books and equipment for their course.

Eligibility

You can get an EMA if:

• you are aged 16 years old;
• your household income is £30,000 or below;
• you are on further education courses (such as AS/A2, GNVQs, NVQs and GCSEs) in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and FE colleges.

Details

• You may be entitled to up to £30 a week.
• There are also bonuses of £100 if you remain on your course and make good progress with your learning.
• Payments will be made direct to your bank account.
• EMA is paid in addition to other support and benefits provided by the Government. Your family won’t lose out on other money if you get EMA.
• It will not affect your parent’s Child Benefit.
• It won’t affect any money you earn from a part-time job.

Next Steps

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

Further information on how to apply will be available before you finish Year 11 from your school, your Connexions Personal Adviser, or your new school or college. Your Careers Teacher will be able to advise you.

Contact Details

Free Helpline for young people and parents: 080 810 16 2 19
Website:  www.ema.dfes.gov.uk