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EMA: how much could you get?

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) comes in weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account.

However, you will only get your money if you regularly attend and work hard on your course. 

If you qualify, the amount you receive is calculated by looking at your household income. It isn’t affected by any money you earn from part-time work, and won’t make any difference to any benefits your parents get.

On top of your weekly amount you can also receive bonuses – but only if you continue to do well and meet targets set by your teacher, tutor or provider when you start.

So, do you qualify?

Let’s keep things nice and simple. Just read the list below and if the age, course and income descriptions below apply to you, you’re likely to qualify for EMA.

Your age

First of all you need to be 16, 17 or 18 and have left – or be about to leave – compulsory education.

Your course

You need to be enrolled on a course in England which is either:

• a full-time further education course at a college or school
• an LSC-funded Diploma (where available) or a course that leads to an Apprenticeship
• an LSC funded Entry to Employment (e2e) course (if your e2e course starts on or after 30 June 2008, you’ll get the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment, regardless of your household income)

Your household income

To qualify for EMA in the academic year starting in September 2008 your annual household income must be below £30,810 (for tax year 2007/2008).

And there’s good news if you have a part-time job – any money you earn isn’t included in your overall household income.

Your household income (for financial year 2007/2008)	How much EMA you get
up to £20,817 per year	£30 per week
£20,818 - £25,521 per year	£20 a week
£25,522 - £30,810 per year	£10 a week
more than £30,810 per year	no entitlement to EMA

If you’re a parent or carer, find out more by following the below link.

• EMA: the facts for parents and carers

Does EMA affect other benefits?

No, EMA does not affect any other household benefits. So your parents and carers are still free to keep claiming child benefit, tax credits and so on.

If you have children, you could get EMA at the same time as Care to Learn, meaning you could get extra help with childcare costs.

• Care to Learn

Where can you sign up?

If you like the sound of what you’ve just read, get closer to getting your hands on the money by ringing the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989.

• How to apply for EMA