Renfrewshire Council

On this page:

• What the EMA is
• Eligibility
• Income thresholds
• EMA and your benefits
• How long you can get the EMA for
• How your EMA is paid
• When we'll start paying your EMA

What the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly payment of £30, paid directly to young people aged 16 to 19 who continue in full-time education after they reach the statutory leaving age.

You can apply online for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) from mid-June 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Who can get the EMA

If you're between 16 and 19, and you plan on continuing at school from August 2023, you can apply for the EMA if:

• you go to a school in the Renfrewshire Council area
• your household earns less than the income thresholds listed below
• your course is at least 21 hours of guided learning per week
• you agree and sign a valid learning agreement with your school.

A learning agreement sets out what's expected of you around attendance and coursework. You can find out more about learning agreements on the mygov.scot website.

Income thresholds for households

We look at the income of adults in your home who look after you. In most cases, this will be your parent or parents, but it could also be your grandparents or another family member.

To qualify for the EMA, your household must have an income of:

• up to £24,421 per year before tax, with one dependent child or young person up to 25 in full time education
• up to £26,884 per year before tax, with more than one dependent child or young person up to 25 in full time education.

We assess your household income using your parents' or carers' Final Tax Credit Award Notice or their P60 details for the tax year 2022 to 2023.

EMA and your benefits

You can get the EMA as well as any other benefits your family get from the government. Your family won't lose out on other money if you get the EMA.

It won't affect your parent's Child Benefit.

It won't affect any money you earn from a part-time job, either.

How long you can get the EMA for

You can get the EMA for up to three years. Vulnerable young people may receive support for up to three years within a four-year period.

You'll need to renew your EMA and learning agreement each year you are at school.

How your EMA is paid

The EMA is paid fortnightly, two weeks in arrears.

It is paid directly into your bank account. If you don't have a bank or building society account, you'll need to open one. Your account must be one that accepts BACS payments (these are payments that are paid electronically from one bank account to another). Check with your bank if you're not sure.

The EMA is not paid during school holidays. It is only paid when you are at school.

Your EMA payment can be withheld if you don't follow your learning agreement.

When we will start paying your EMA

You'll begin receiving payments when we have awarded your EMA and your school has your learning agreement.

If you are between 16 and 19 years old before 30 September 2023, you may be eligible for the EMA from the beginning of the school term. However, if you're eligible for the full-year award but don't submit your application by 30 September 2023, you'll only receive the award from the week we receive your application.

If you turn 16 between 1 October 2023 and 28 February 2024, you may be eligible for the EMA from January 2024. However, if you don't submit your application by 29 February 2024, you'll only receive the award from the week we receive your application.

The deadline to apply for the EMA for the 2023-2024 academic year is 31 March 2024. We won't process any applications after this date.