Grants - education maintenance award

Are pupils who are educated at home eligible for an education maintenance allowance?

Yes. EMAs are available to all students who meet the criteria for EMAs, and are undertaking learning with a Learning Centre recognised and approved by the Local Authority (which may include Home Educators).

Can I get an Education Maintenance Allowance if I am on New Deal?

No. Young people on the New Deal education option or on any government-supported training schemes are not eligible for EMAs.

Can I submit an application form for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) after the start of the school session?

Yes, it is possible to submit an application for your EMA after the start of the school session. If you are eligible for a full year award, and if we receive your application by 30 September, payments may be backdated to the beginning of the school session in August.

Do I get my Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) paid if the school is on holiday?

No, you only get paid EMA for weeks when you are at school.

Do I get paid for in-service days and public holidays?

Yes, in-service and public holidays are counted as term days attended and your EMA be paid for these days.

Does every young person staying on at school after 16 get an Education Maintenance Allowance?

Only young people who live in a household where the total income is less than £30,810 a year are eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance.

Does getting an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) affect other benefits?

No, EMA is currently paid over and above Child Benefit and other benefits, and is paid directly to the child who is staying on at school.

Does my performance at school affect my entitlement to my education maintenance allowance (EMA)?

Yes - payment of your EMA can be withheld, without warning, if your school attendance falls below 100% in any one week. Lateness can also affect payments. If Learning Agreement conditions are not met, then your EMA may also be withheld, with no warning. However, you may qualify for a bonus EMA payment if you have met all conditions set out in your Learning Agreement.

Does the attendance requirement in my learning agreement for an educational maintenance allowance include work placements and college courses?

Yes. EMAs cover all elements of course work that occur during term time as defined by education establishments and recognised by the Local Authority.

How can I get a bonus Education Maintenance Allowance payment?

Education Maintenance Allowance bonuses reward completion of course work, behaviour, attitude and attendance. You will qualify for your bonus if you have met all conditions set out in your Learning Agreement.

How long can I get an education maintenance allowance for?

You will be able to get an EMA for three years, as long as your family income does not rise above the £30,810 a year threshold, or other upper limit, and you are still attending secondary school.

How much is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

An Education Maintenance Allowance is between £10 and £30 per week, depending upon household income.

How much is an education maintenance allowance bonus?

Two Education Maintenance Allowance bonuses of £150 each time may be paid to you during the academic year, one in January and the other in June or July. If you receive your EMA from August you may qualify for both bonuses. If you receive your EMA from January you may qualify for one bonus.

How often do I need to apply for an education maintenance award?

You need to apply for an education maintenance award every school year.

How often is the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) paid?

EMA is paid fortnightly in arrears, during school term time. EMA is not paid during the holidays.

If I apply for an EMA will it affect my parents Tax Credit award?

No, EMA is paid directly to the child who is staying on at school.

What is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Learning Agreement?

An EMA Learning Agreement is an agreement between a pupil and the school that details the learning that will be offered and the responsibilities of both parties in attaining this. Pupils are expected to adhere to this learning agreement, and if they do, they may be eligible to receive two bonus payments of £150 each time through the year.

What is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

EMA stands for Education Maintenance Allowance. The Allowance provides financial support for eligible pupils who stay on at school past their 16th birthday.

When is a bonus Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payment paid?

Bonus Education Maintenance Allowances (where relevant) are paid in January and June/July if you are eligible for a full year award or just June/July if you are eligible for a half year award.

When should I submit an application form for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

Application forms are usually available in May. In order to ensure you get your EMA when your course starts, you should get your completed form to the EMA office by 30 June. You should apply by 30 September for the full academic year. You should apply by 18 February for the period January to June. No applications for the current year will be accepted after May 31st.

Who do I contact if I haven't received my Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payment?

If you haven't received your EMA, you should, in the first instance, check with the school to see that your attendance has been appropriately updated.

Will I get any money if I submit my application for an Education Maintenance Allowance after the closing date?

You may still be eligible for an EMA if you meet all the criteria and although payments will not be back dated to the start of the academic term they will start from the week your application was received.

Will I get my Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payment if I am off sick?

If you have been awarded an EMA award for the full school year, you are entitled to be off sick for up to 5 days without a doctor's line without it affecting your EMA payments. If you have been awarded an EMA award for half the school year, you are entitled to three days' off sick without a doctor's line. You should inform your school immediately you know you are going to be off, and you may need to provide the school with written reason for being off. Any other absences must be covered by a medical certificate or be authorised by the school.

Will I still get my Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if I move school during the school year?

Yes. Your entitlement to your EMA will not be affected if you move school, provided that you renew your EMA Learning Agreement with your new school.

Will you accept a photocopy of the birth certificate for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) application?

No, in order to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), you must submit an original birth certificate.