Save EMA

What?

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is means-tested allowances of between £10 and £30 paid to 16 to 19 year olds who stay on in education.
EMA is intended to help with the cost of books, travel, equipment or anything useful to the continuation of learning. It’s paid straight into the pupil’s bank account, not their parents or their college, giving them independence and forcing them to take charge of a small weekly budget. The payments are under the condition that they attend classes regularly and if attendance stops then so does the payments. If the pupil works hard or achieves good grades there is the opportunity to earn bonuses.

When?

The EMA was rolled out nationally in September 2004 following a pilot scheme in 15 local authorities which started back in 1999.

Where?

EMA currently exists all across the UK although the administering of it is devolved to the regional parliaments of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Who?

EMA is available to 16-19 year olds who come from low income families and whose household’s net income is below £30,000 pa.
There is an additional grant for those students from families household income is up to and below £20,000 pa.

Why?

The initial aim of the EMA was to encourage more 16-19 year olds to stay on in post 16 education, which the UK at the time had the lowest level in the whole of Europe. Since then the EMA has evolved into providing financial assistance to a