Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - What is Education Maintenance Allowance?
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
What is Education Maintenance Allowance?
Applies to: People studying or permanently resident in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The scheme is now closed in England.
Age rules:16-19 year olds
Type of benefit: Means-tested
Administered by: Student Finance Wales in Wales, your local authority or college bursary office in Scotland, Student Loans Company Limited in Northern Ireland.
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Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - Who does it help?
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Who does it help?
Broadly speaking, you could get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if:
-
you are 16, 17, 18 or 19, and
-
you are old enough to leave school if you want to, and
-
you are carrying on with your studies.
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Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): England
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Last reviewed 24 April 2023
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): England
The EMA scheme in England is now closed. However, schools and colleges have funds to award bursaries to people aged 16-19 who need help.
If you are:
- in care
- a care leaver
- claiming Income Support or Universal Credit
- receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- receiving Universal Credit and either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
You could receive a bursary of £1,200 a year from your school or college.
If you are not in one of these groups, you can still apply for a bursary from your school or college but any award will be made at the school or college's discretion. They will also decide what conditions you should meet to receive a bursary - for example, linked to your behaviour or attendance record.
You can read more about bursaries on the 16-19 bursaries page of the Gov.UK website
Live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England
If you live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England, you can get EMA but you should apply in the country you normally live.
Reviewed: April 2023
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Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each has their own Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme.
Wales
In Wales, your family's income must be £23,077 or less. It also depends on how many dependant children there are in your household. You can find out about the scheme in Wales on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) page of the Student Finance Wales website.
Scotland
In Scotland, your family's income must be £26,884 or less. It also depends on how many dependant children there are in your household. You can find out more about the scheme in Scotland on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) page of the mygov.scot website
Live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England
If you live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England, you can get EMA but you should apply in the country you normally live.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, your family's income must be below £22,501. It also depends on how many dependant children there are in your household. You can find our more about the scheme in Northern Ireland on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) page of the NI direct website.
Reviewed: April 2023
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Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - How much does Education and Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pay?
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
How much does Education and Maintenance Allowance (EMA) pay?
EMA comes in weekly payments of:
- £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland
- £40 in Wales
If you live in Northern Ireland, on top of your weekly amount, you may also get bonuses if you continue to do well and meet targets set by your teacher when you start.
You will only get your money if you regularly attend and work hard on your course.
It is not affected by any money you earn from part-time work and will not make any difference to any benefits your parents or guardians get.
Updated: April 2023
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Education Maintenance Allowance EMA - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland - How do I claim?
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is extra money for students aged 16-19 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
How do I claim?
You usually apply for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in the country where you are studying.
However, if you live in Scotland or Wales and plan to study in England, you should apply for EMA in the country where you normally live.
Wales
In Wales, you can get an application form online or by asking your school or college for a form.
Post your completed application to: Wales Customer Services, PO Box 5596, Glasgow, G52 9BR.
Scotland
In Scotland, you apply through your local council. Different councils have different forms and different processes. Check the EMA page of the My Gov Scot website.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, you can get an application form online or by calling or emailing the EMA helpline.
- Online: EMA forms page of the NI direct website
- Telephone: 0300 200 7089
- Email: ema_ni@slc.co.uk
What documents will I need?
Your parent or carer will need to send evidence of the household income for the relevant tax year, for example, their Tax Credit Award Notice (TC602) or P60.
You have to give details of your bank account when you apply for EMA. To open a bank account, you will need evidence of who you are, for example, a passport or driving licence.
Live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England
If you live in Scotland or Wales but plan to study in England, you can get EMA but you should apply in the country where you normally live.
Further information
See also the Gov.UK information on Education Maintenance Allowance
Reviewed: August 2022
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