Money matters – financial support post -16

 

Do you want to encourage your teenager to stay in full-time education, or go into work-based learning, but are worried about the costs? There may be financial support to help them. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is money for 16+ year olds, and is paid in addition to other Government support and benefits. Currently, EMA can be available where annual household income is up to £30,810 pa.

What is EMA?

EMA is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30 a week depending on your household income. The money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when young people stay on at school, college or training provider – such as travel, books and equipment for their learning programme.

Young people are likely to qualify for an EMA if:

• they are 16, 17 or 18 and have left – or be about to leave – compulsory education
• they are enrolled on a course 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, or an LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) course (if the e2e course starts on or after 30 June 2008, they’ll get the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment, regardless of your household income)
• your annual household income is below £30,810 (for tax year 2007/2008)

It is paid directly into the young person’s bank account if they stay on in learning at school or college after their GCSEs. If they are entitled, they will receive their EMA payment every week of their course as long as they turn up and show commitment to their learning programme. Most young people will be able to get EMA for two to three years depending on how long they need to finish their learning.

They could also receive bonuses if they stick with their course and make good progress. However, if they do not attend the money will be stopped.

EMA does not affect other benefits paid to parents, carers or students - for example it does not affect child benefit. For the financial year 2007/2008, if your household income is up to £20,817 per year, an eligible young person would get £30 per week; with household income between £20,818 and £25,521 per year it would be £20 a week, and between £25,522 and £30,810 per year the payment is £10 a week. Above £30,810, young people would not be eligible for EMA.

You can find out all the detail you need from the Government’s EMA website at ema.direct.gov.uk which has a Parents & Carers section. There’s an EMA helpline – call free on 0800 121 8989 for more advice. You can download a copy of the Government’s "Financial help for students" booklet from moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk

EMA may help to ease any money worries you might have at home and it’s got other benefits going for it as well. As a parent or carer, you’ll probably be pleased to hear that getting and then handling regular weekly payments really helps young people understand personal responsibility and how to manage their money. Plus having to make sure that they turn up for every class to earn their EMA will help them to get to grips with the self discipline they’ll need in the workplace.

Basically, the system helps them stay on learning programme for a brighter future and gives you less financial pressure while they’re still in learning. So if you need a hand in helping them to get their EMA, call free on 0800 121 8989.

Are there any other sources of financial help for continuing in education?

Yes, there are various other ways in which help might be available. Have a look at the Government’s "Money to Learn (14-19 years)" website at moneytolearn.direct.gov.uk to find out more about things like Learner Support Funds, under which extra funding might be available to help with the costs of books, equipment, tools, field trips, visits, examination fees and so on.