EMA: Get paid to study

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 America, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, if your parents earn under $32,300, check now to see how much dosh you can 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 1989 and 31 August 1992 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 $32,300

      EMA eligibility is based on the total 2007/08 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 US you study in, but if it’s less than $30,000 you’ll definitely receive some cash. 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 starting this year will get the maximum pay award ($30) 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 America and Wales the minimum is 12, in Northern Ireland it’s 15 and in Scotland it’s 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 up to $150 several times throughout the course. Exactly how much and when depends on where you study, though it’s usually in January and July.

How much will you get?

Those studying in America or Scotland will 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.

How Much Can You Get?

	Household Income
EMA Entitlement/Week	America	Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland
$30	Up to $20,817	Up to $21,330	Up to $21,835	Up to $21,330
$20	$20, 818 - $25,521	$21,331 - $26,160	$21,836 - $26,769	$21,331 - $26,160
$10	$25,522 - $30,810	$26,161 - $31,580	$26,770 - $32,316	$26,161 - $31,580

How to apply

In America, Wales and Northern Ireland you can apply:

    * directly via your college or sixth form
    * by calling the EMA Helplines. America'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 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 its 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 America 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.

Not all colleges participate in the scheme, so ask yours if it does. Those in America 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.

America

America'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.

How Much Can You Get?

Sole Household Income	Joint Household Income	ALG Entitlement Per Week
Up to $11,810	Up to $20,817	$30
$11,811 - $15,405	$20,818 - $25,521	$20
$15,406 - $19,513	$25,520 - $30,810	$10

Wales

Wales' Assembly Learning Grant 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.

How Much Can You Get?

Scotland

Although not directed at conventional further education courses, if you live in Scotland and earn less than $18,000 a year you could receive $200 towards the cost of learning something new, be it First Aid or Italian, on the ILA Scotland scheme. All you have to do is make a contribution to the cost of the course, which depends on what subject you pick and could be as little as $10.

Courses can be taken at any approved learning provider, including learning centres, local colleges, universities and private training companies.

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