Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly financial allowance of £30 per week provided to eligible young people aged 16-19 years old who continue in full-time education after their 16th birthday or participate in an Activity Agreement. The allowance is designed to support young people in staying on at school or college. Eligibility is dependent on household income and the number of dependent children, with household income thresholds of £24,421 for households with one dependent child. Recipients must complete and adhere to the terms and conditions of a Learning Agreement with their school or college, which sets out expectations for attendance, coursework and progress. Once approved, the EMA is paid on a fortnightly basis directly into the student's bank account. Applications are accepted according to the student's date of birth, with specific application windows and a closing date of 31 March 2026 for the 2025/2026 academic year.