Education Maintenance Allowance

Did you know that students can get up to £30 per week to help with the cost of coming to College to study? 

• What is EMA?
  
  EMA is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, depending on your household income.  This money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when you stay on at school or College - such as travel, books and equipment for your course.  It is paid weekly and is dependent on your attendance, punctuality and progress at College.  There are £100 bonuses if you stick with your course and make good progress.
  
  Who will be entitled to EMA?
  
  You can get EMA if:
  
  
• your household has an income of £30,810 or less, and
• your course involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week
  
  To get EMA you must also:
  
  
• be a UK national (born here or have UK citizenship or a UK passport)
  
• have 'indefinite leave to remain' or refugee status, or
• come from a European Union or European Economic Area country and have lived in the UK for three years.
  
  What do I need to do to apply for EMA?
  
  

  More information is available at www.direct.gov.uk.  Application forms will be available from April onwards and can be collected from your school or local Connexions Centre.  Alternatively, you can telephone the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989 and ask to have one sent in the post from April onwards.  REMEMBER, if you think you qualify for EMA - open a bank account NOW.
  

If you do not qualify for an EMA, you may be able to get financial assistance from Discretionary Learner Support (dLS).  This is means-tested fund given to the College by the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA).  You may be able to claim financial assistance to help with things like books, subject trips or equipment.  This fund is also available to EMA students in particular cases of hardship. 

If you have any queries about financial assistance, please telephone Lisa Fry - Student Support Manager on 020 8492 8223.