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What's
an EMA? EMA
means Education Maintenance Allowance. EMAs
provide financial support for 16 to 19 year olds from low income families who
undertake a full time course at school or college.
The programme is managed by your Local Education Authority or your FE college.
...................................................... Why
have EMAs? Research
shows that young people from low income families are much less likely to stay
on at school or college after compulsory education. As a result, many leave without
the minimum qualifications needed to get a job and can end up socially excluded
...................................................... How
does it work?
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EMAs
are paid directly into the young person's bank account. |
| EMA
is a weekly allowance payable during term time, with additional bonuses paid for
attendance, achievement, progression and behaviour. These are all paid to the
young person. | | The
weekly allowance normally depends on the financial circumstances of the family. |
| The
EMA is a weekly allowance and can only be paid for full weeks within term time
up to a maximum of 42 weeks in any one academic year and only where 100% weekly
attendance has been achieved by the young person. |
| EMA
payments are not made during short term time holidays which include the October
week, Christmas and Easter. |
|
Payment
of an EMA is normally restricted to a maximum of three years for any individual
student. However, some young people with special
educational needs may be entitled to up to four years support. |
| A
young person can be on either an EMA or a maintenance bursary but not both. A
young person on an EMA may still be entitled to other forms of bursary support
for example a travel bursary. |
| The
applicant must have a current signed Learning Agreement and they must adhere to
the conditions of that Learning Agreement. |
| The
applicant must normally be on a recognised full time course of study, in a school
or college of further education and for EMA purposes "full time" means
at least 21 guided learning hours per week. |
| Students
are eligible to receive EMA payments during the study / exam period as set out
by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, providing they attend for any exams
as set in their learning agreement. |
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