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Annual report 2006/2007 Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Home > Services > Education and Learning > Support for Learning > Financial support at school
Do you want to stay in education after 16 but are worried about money?
You may be able to get up to £30 a week Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if you are 16 to 19 and staying on in full time education.
Frequently asked questions?
- What is an EMA?
- Who is entitled to an EMA?
- How much will I get?
- When do I get a bonus?
- How long can I get an EMA for?
- How do you assess my household income?
- Will EMA affect my family's / my benefits?
- What do I need to do to get my EMA for 2008?
- How will my EMA be paid?
- Does the pupil's performance affect the EMA?
- Where can I find out more information about applying for an EMA?
What is an 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.
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Who is entitled to an EMA?
You can get an EMA if:
- You are 16 to 19 years old between 1 March 2008 and 28 February 2009 and staying on in education from August 2008
- Your household income is £32,317 or below
- Your course involves at least 21 hours of guided learning per week, and
- You sign a valid Learning Agreement with your school.
| Date of Birth | Receive EMA From |
| Born between 1 March 1989 and 30 September 1992 | August 2008 |
| Born between 1 October 1992 and 28 February 1993 | January 2009 |
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How much will I get?
The amount you get depends on the income for your household:
| Income: | EMA Payment: |
| Up to £21,835 a year | £30 a week |
| £21,836 - £26,769 a year | £20 a week |
| £26,770 - £32,316 a year | £10 a week |
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Two bonuses of £150 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.
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.
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How long can I get an EMA for?
You can get an EMA for up to three years. 'Vulnerable' young people may receive support for up to three years within a four-year period. You have to make a new application each year.
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How do you assess my household income?
We look at the income of adults in your home who have a caring or parental responsibility for you. In most cases this will be your parent or parents, but could be grandparents or another family member. We assess your income using your parents/carers Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) or your parent/carers P60 details for 2007/2008.
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Will EMA affect my family's / my benefits?
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 an EMA.
- It will not affect your parent's Child Benefit.
- It won't affect any money you earn from a part-time job either.
What do I need to do to get my EMA for 2008?
Firstly you need to complete the application form below. Also below is the EMA quick reference guide for 2008/2009 for your information.
EMA Application Form 2008/2009 (208 KB)Quick Guide to EMA 2008/2009 (108KB)It's worth applying as soon as you can, or you may have to wait for your money. An application form for academic session 2008/2009 is available in all Secondary Schools, Customer Contact Centre and online now.
Applications can also be picked up from Neighbourhood offices:-
- Johnstone Office - Floor Street
- Renfrew Office - Renfield Street
and Customer Service Points
Your parents or carers will need to give details of all the income coming into your household for the last complete tax year (this will be for 2007/2008). They also need to send, with the application form, evidence of the household income for that year.
They can send us their:
- Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN), or
- P60's
If there is only one parent in the household evidence of single occupancy will be required.
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How will my EMA be paid?
- The EMA will be paid fortnightly, 2 weeks in arrears.
- The EMA will be paid directly into the pupils bank account. If they do not have a bank or building society account they will need to open one. This account must be one that accepts BACS payments (please check with your bank if you are unsure).
- The EMA will not be paid during school holidays and will only be paid for weeks in attendance at school.
Does my performance at school affect my EMA?
Yes - Payment can be withheld, without warning, based on the following:
- If attendance falls below 100% in any one week.
- Lateness can also affect payments.
- If Learning Agreement conditions are not met.
Where can I find out more information about applying for an EMA?
Find out more on the EMA Scotland website.
You can contact us by email: ema.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
or by phone: 0141 842 4488
or write to us at:
EMA Section
Education and Leisure Services
Renfrewshire Council
South Building
Cotton Street
Paisley
PA1 1LE
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