EMA - Education Maintenace Allowance

What is EMA?

The Money to Learn Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a means-tested allowance of £30 a week which is paid fortnightly into the bank account of eligible students. Its purpose is to help 16, 17, 18 and 19 year olds with the costs of further education when they stay on at school after compulsory schooling ends (Post-16), such as travel costs, books and equipment.

Students will receive the payment as long as they continue to meet the attendance requirements of Lecale Trinity Grammar School. EMA payments can be stopped if a student is absent from school without a valid reason or if absence notes have not been provided.

Payments will be paid into a bank account or building society account in the student’s name.

Who is entitled to EMA?

You can get an EMA if you're aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 years on or between 2 July 2023 and 1 July 2024 and all of the following statements apply to you:

your household income is £20,500 or less for households with one dependent child;
your household income is £22,500 or less for households with more than one dependent child;
you are full time at school or doing a minimum of 15 guided hours per week at college;
you are studying an eligible course and attending all classes;
you meet the nationality and residency rules set out in the EMA scheme;
you have not already received the maximum allowance for EMA which is 117 positive or negative weekly attendance confirmations over the total length of your course.

You may be entitled to receive EMA for a maximum of three years, as long as the household income does not rise above the income threshold which applies to your household.

Receipt of EMA will not affect any other benefits being received in the household.

How do I apply?

You need to complete an application form. (Click on the image below to download Application Form)

You’ll be able to get one from Reception or from the NI Direct website.

Link to NI Direct website - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/education-maintenance-allowance-application-forms-and-accompanying-notes

Completed applications should be posted to EMA Customer Service, PO Box 5591, Glasgow G52 9BJ. They should not be returned to the school.

Bonus Payments

Students in receipt of EMA may qualify for 2 performance based bonuses of £100, usually paid out in January and June. Bonus payments are dependent on how a student performs at school:

Attendance
Consistent hard work both at home and in school
Completion of coursework/homework on time and to a good standard
Active engagement and contribution to class lessons

For further information, visit the NI Direct Website.

NI Direct link to https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/financial-support-school-or-college/money-learn-education-maintenance