EMA - Get free cash

Thousands of pounds in free cash is available to 16 to 19 year olds who stay on at college or sixth form, thanks to the Government’s Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). It's possible to pocket up to £30 per week, as well as periodic £100-£150 bonuses.

So whether you’re from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, if your parents earn under £32,400, check now to see how much dosh you could grab.

Who can get it?

The EMA’s designed to entice and encourage school leavers who previously didn’t want, or couldn’t afford, to carry on studying past the compulsory level. As it’s based largely on parental income, thousands of students are eligible for the cash boost.

You need to satisfy several criteria to get an EMA:

• Be aged between 16 and 19
  
  Only those born between 1 September 1990 and 31 August 1993 can apply. So, unfortunately, if you’ve done well at school and managed to skip a year, thus enter further education before 16, you won’t be eligible.
  


• Your parents must earn less than £32,400
  
  EMA eligibility is based on the total 2008/09 tax year income of both parents you live with (including step parents), or sole income if you live with just one. The good news is any benefits you receive or cash from a part time job aren’t included in the assessment...hoorah!
  
  The top qualifying level of income differs slightly depending on which part of the UK you study in, but if it’s less than £20,000 you’ll definitely receive at least £30 per week. For full details see the how much section.
  
  
• It applies to both academic and vocational subjects/courses
  
  AS/A2 Levels and Highers, diplomas and even GCSE resits: they all qualify. They can be based in any sixth form, college or other further education institution.
  
  Those enrolling on an Entry to Employment (e2e) course will get the maximum £30 award regardless of household income.
  
  
• There’s a minimum weekly classroom attendance
  
  Depending on where you study, there’s a minimum number of hours you must be in class or at a placement each week to qualify for the EMA. In England and Wales the minimum is 12, in Northern Ireland it’s 15 and in Scotland it’s a diligent 21.
  
  
• You must stick to your studies and attend regularly
  
  You have to be committed to your studies, have a good attendance record and achieve the specific goals agreed between you and your college, otherwise you’ll forgo payments, which can’t be recouped. Your efforts will be monitored by your school or college.
  
  Those who stay motivated, are punctual and hardly ever (if ever) miss a class are rewarded with bonus payments of either £100 or £150 several times throughout the course. Exactly how much and when depends on where you study.

How much will you get?

Those studying in England or Scotland get their EMA’s paid weekly, whereas in Wales and Northern Ireland it’s fortnightly. It's paid straight into your bank, so you’ll need to open a bank or Savings Account, if you haven’t already done so.

Depending on parental income and where you study, you could get one of three set weekly payments; £30, £20, £10, or nothing at all.

The one exception is if you're in Scotland, where the only tier available is £30 per week (though existing Scottish students who previously received £10 or £20 weekly payments will still be entitled to these if they're household income hasn't increased passed the previous thresholds).

How to apply

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can apply:

• directly via your college or sixth form
• by calling the EMA Helplines. England's number is 0800 121 8989, Wales' is 0845 602 8845 and it's 0845 601 7646 in Northern Ireland.
  
  

In Scotland you can apply via your college and Local Education Authority but not by phone.

Each applicant must provide proof of their parents’ household income, which can be done using a Tax Credit Award Notice or by a P60, plus you’ll need to give your bank details.

Other sources of funding

If you aren't eligible for EMA, or are getting it but still struggling financially, you may be entitled to money from elsewhere.

• The Discretionary Support Fund system provides one-off payments to help fund travel or the purchase of equipment and books, and can be applied for through your college or sixth form.
  


• The Connexions Direct and Directgov websites are crammed with everything you need to know about sources of financial help for students and struggling families.
  
  
• Helpful information about a wide range of student related issues, from educational rights to teenage pregnancy, is available from Citizens Advice.
  
  
• Also, ensure you do the 5-Min Benefit Check-Up, to make sure your family’s receiving all the allowances it's entitled to, and read the Grant Grabbing guide to see if you’re eligible for any extra cash on top.
  
  Plus check if there are ways to Boost Your Income and bring in a little extra cash.
  

Over 19s can earn and learn too

If you’re over 19, and studying in England and Wales, you could earn as you learn with the adult's equivalent to EMA: an Adult Learning Grant or Assembly Learning Grant. These grants are aimed at helping those who haven't entered further education before and now want to get qualifications to improve their career paths.

Scotland offers a small grant for a wide range of non-traditional classes too.

Not all colleges participate in the scheme, so ask yours if it does. Those in England can also check with the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900.

Like EMA, both grants are income assessed so how much you get depends on how much you (or in Wales, possibly your parents) earn.

England

England's Adult Learning Grant gives up to £30 per week, providing you study a full time course with at least 12 hours of class time. You must be studying, for the first time, either for a:

• level 2 qualification (five GCSEs at A*-C or an NVQ2) or
• level 3 qualification (two A2 Levels or an NVQ3)

Payments are assessed by the learner's household income (not the parents, even if you still live at home) or joint income if you live with a partner who's in paid employment.

To apply, speak to your college's Student Services team, call the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989 or request an application pack online.

Wales

If you home address is in Wales, you may be eligible for an Assembly Learning Grant, which offers up to £1,500 for full time study (at least 500 hours class study time, spread over the year) or up to £750 for part time study (bewteen 275 and 499 hours). Eligible qualifications include:

• GCSEs
• AS or A2 Levels
• BTECs, GNVQs or NVQs
• basic skills courses

If you’re an independent student, how much you get’s assessed on your income (or joint income if you live with a partner). If you’re a dependent student, it’s based on your parents’ income.

You’re classed as an independent student if you:

• Will be 25 or over on the first day of the course
• Were married/in a civil partnership before the course begins
• Are separated from your parents
• Have been supporting yourself financially for at least three years
• Have a child
• Are living under the care of Social Services

The grant won’t affect any benefits you or your household already get. Plus, if assessment's based on your parents’ income and you work part-time, your cash won’t be taken into account.

You can apply directly at your college or print a form and send it directly to Student Finance Wales.

Scotland

Although not directed at conventional further education courses, if you live in Scotland and earn less than £22,000 a year you could receive £200 towards the cost of learning something new, be it First Aid or Italian, on the ILA Scotland scheme. And the beauty is, you don't have to pay it back.

All you have to do is make a contribution to the cost of the course, which depends on which subject you pick, and could be as little as £25.

Courses can be taken at any approved learning provider including learning centres, local colleges, universities and private training companies. To apply, request an application pack online or call 0808 100 1090.