The information below is intended as a general guide and it should not be regarded as a statement of the statutory position
Contact EMA Unit for further Information
Do I have to apply each year for an EMA?
YES, a new application must be submitted each year using the correct application form.
Academic year starting August 2008 please use EMA Application Form 2008-09
What is an EMA?
EMA means Education Maintenance Allowance. An EMA is an allowance of up to £30 per week payable to eligible young adults who stay on in full-time education at school or college after their 16th birthday. It can be paid for a maximum of 3 consecutive years, with, usually, 2 years at most in secondary school.
The young person has to satisfy attendance requirements and also, they have to complete a EMA Learning Agreement (LA) - a contract between the young person and their school or college before payments can be issued.
NOTE: no payments will be issued until a LA has been completed. The School will then notify the EMA Unit that the LA has been completed. The school will authorise the necessary weeks owing and payments will be picked up at the next available payment date.
It is the responsibility of the young adult applying to approach their school in regard to completing their Learning Agreement.
College applicants should contact the college they will be attending and apply through them. The Highland Council, EMA Unit only deal with School applications for The Highland Council area.
How is an EMA calculated?
EMA Awards have four main eligibility criteria: date of birth, household income, learning over 21 hours per week and residency as follows:
Date of birth eligibility
Academic year 2008-2009
If you were born between 1st March 1989 and 30th September 1992 - you will receive EMA from August 2008 (Autumn intake)
If you were born between 1 October 1992 and 28 February 1993 - you will receive EMA from January 2009 (Winter intake)
Eligibility is based solely on date of birth and does not take into account the year of study a student is in. Students will become eligible to apply for an EMA with reference to their school leaving date irrespective of which year of study they are in.
Household income
EMA will be payable on the basis of the total annual income of the household of the young person. The sum payable will reduce from the full award of £30 per week to nil, within the following bandings:
• Household income less than £21,835 weekly payment: £30
• Household income £21,836 - £26,769 weekly payment: £20
• Household income £26,770 - £32,316 weekly payment: £10
• Household income over £32,317 weekly payment: Nil
Bonuses of £150 each may be paid in February and July. These bonuses will take into account progression/attainment measured against the Learning Agreement and adhering to the Terms and Condtions of the scheme.
Learning over 21 hours per week
This means guided learning hours within class time. It can also include study leave, projects etc. at the discretion of the school and stated on students time table. The young adult must be engaged in educational activites related to his or her course of study during this time.
Residency
To be eligible for an EMA students must meet the nationality and residency requirements of the Scheme. Information can be found on the EMA Residency Policy Information 2008-09. Assessment is made on individual cases with regard to eligibility by the EMA Unit.
When do I apply?
Application forms are available in Schools or from Highland Council Service Points from June 2008
Applications should be submitted by:
27 June 2008 to be ready for August 2008 (Autumn intake)
27 October 2008 to be ready for January 2009 (Winter intake)
Cut off dates to be eligible for back dated payments:
Autumn Intake applications before or on 30 September 2008
i.e. If you are eligible from the Autumn Intake and apply before the 30 September 2008, you will be paid from the start of the term if you have satisfied the eligibility criteria.
OR
Winter Intake before or on 28 February 2009
i.e. if you are eligible from the Winter Intake and apply before 28 February 2009, you will be paid from the start of the term if you have satisfied the eligibility criteria.
Can I apply late?
Yes, but applications received after 30 September 2008 for the Autumn intake or after 28 February 2008 for the Winter intake can only be back-dated to the date of receipt of the application. All applications will be processed in date order. Final Closing date for receipt of all applications is the 31 March 2009 for Academic year 2008/09.
What if I work (Young Adult) part-time or a Saturday job - is this taken into account?
No, the young adult's income is not taken into account at all, only the income of those in whose household the young adult lives, for example parents/carers.
Will it affect benefits/Tax credits?
No. EMA is currently paid over and above Child Benefit, Tax Credits and other Benefits.
Note: EMA office however does require evidence of benefits paid to you. This is requested on the EMA application form but on the whole this is not seen as income and is ignored, for example Income Support and Tax Credits and Child Benefit are not taken into account as income, nor are maintenance payments.
Do I have to pay it back?
Not unless you are overpaid or have not met the conditions of your Learning Agreement or ther terms and conditions of the scheme.
Will I be paid for school holidays?
No, you will only be paid for weeks in attendance at school, up to a maximum of 42 weeks in any one academic year. (Please refer to Payment Schedule attached with award letter)
What if I don’t have financial information to support my application, for example P60, Tax Credit Award notice or I am self employed?
Please submit the EMA application form to avoid missing the deadline. Remember to indicate on the form that you do not have the documents and will forward these to the EMA Unit when you get them (write this under the household income section or information page). When these documents are available you should submit them to the EMA Unit making sure your son/daughter’s full name, date of birth, school they will be attending is stated.
Note: no assessment of award can be made until all relevant/requested documents are submitted.
Back to Top
Self employed
Please submitt Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) for 2008/09 making sure self-employed income is not stated as “Estimate” and is based on “Actual” accounts to April 2008.
OR
Submit a Self Employed Tax Calculation Statement/SA300 or SA302 to April 2008; you will need to request this document from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Note: We cannot accept “Estimated” accounts. If your Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) for 2008/09 states that self employed income is “Estimated” we will require further information from you to support your appliction.
What if I can’t find my P60?
Please ask your employer to put in writing on business headed paper your P60 information. Or use the Employers Certificate to be handed to your employer to complete.
What if I am a lone parent and do not have a Council Tax bill showing 25% discount for single occupancy?
Please submit a Lone Parent Authorisation Form 2008-09 to verify lone parent status.
What if I am a young adult in foster care / living under the care of local authority?
You are eligible for a £30 award without having to provide evidence of household income. Please submit a letter from your local authority (e.g. social worker) confirming your address and circumstances with your EMA application form.
Note: this letter should be signed by an official from the local authority and include an official stamp.
What if I am a young adult who is in the care of my grandparents?
We require proof of guardianship therefore please submit with your application "Child Benefit Letter" 2008/09.
If your grandparents are not in receipt of child benefit for you then arrangements will have to be made for this to be transferred to them. The EMA Unit will have to wait until child benefit is awarded before an EMA award is issued. (Payments can be back dated to the date the application was received).
What if I am a young adult living alone, with no support from parents / carers?
If you receive Income Support in your own right then please provide a Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) for 2008/09 or the most recent Income Support benefit statement or Housing benefit letter or Council Tax notification letter.
OR
If the above is unavailable please take Part CIND of the EMA application form to your local Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) office. Please ask them to fill this in for you, making sure it is stamped and signed by DWP officer and send this to the EMA Unit.
What if the application form is incomplete?
All incomplete and unsupported applications will be held back until the information is submitted.
Can applications be made from more than one child in a family?
Yes, if they are over 16 years old they can apply. (Each young adult will have to fill in their own EMA application form)
Does the student’s performance at school affect the EMA?
Yes. Payments can be withheld on the following basis:
- if attendance falls below 100% in any week, no payment will be made for that week unless all absence has been covered by a medical certificate or been approved by the school.
- if Learning Agreement conditions are not met, bonus payments will not be made.
Notice will be given if payments are being withheld, along with details of the appeal process.
Back to Top
Support for Vulnerable Students
Flexibility may be extended to applicants who may need additional support such as student sharing their learning time between school and home. Additional support can be given to those who need assistance with the completion of the EMA application form and for those with additional support needs.
Please note: all students must satisfy the main eligibility criteria on date of birth, household income, learning over 21 hour’s a week and residency.
Applicants who may be in this category should seek further guidance from the EMA Unit.
My son/daughter is home taught are they eligible?
Yes, provided they satisfy the main eligibility criteria on date of birth, household income, leaning over 21 hour’s a week and residency rules. Please indicate on EMA form that your son/daughter is home schooled.
Where is the money paid?
Directly into the Young Adult's bank account.
When is the EMA Paid?
Usually fortnightly in arrears. (please refer to Payment Schedule attached with award letter)
First Payment for Autumn 2008 intake will be end of September 2008
First payment for Winter 2009 intake will be end of January 2009
What if I don’t have a bank account?
No payments can be issued unless you have a bank account that can take BACs payments.
If you do not have a bank account when submitting your EMA application form please send application as it is. Once a bank account has been opened please forward bank account details in writing to the EMA Unit making sure you state “Young adult” full name, date of birth, school attending.
What if I move school during the school year to go to college or to another school in England, Wales or Northern Ireland?
This will not affect your entitlement to an EMA, provided that you renew your EMA Learning Agreement in the new establishment you are going to attend. Please notify the EMA unit immediately.
What period does this application cover?
An award, if made, will be for one school year only. A new application must be submitted each year.
Can I appeal the schools decision as regards EMA payments not being paid or withheld?
Yes, please refer to Payment Appeals Procedure 2008-09
Can I appeal if I have been unsuccessful for an EMA or if I am disputing the award banding stated on my award letter?
Yes, pleaes refer to Application Appeals Procedure 2008-09
Back to Top
Who can I contact for more information?
EMA Unit
Area Education, Culture & Sport Office
13 Ardross Street
INVERNESS
IV3 5NS
Telephone number: 01463 663804
ema@highland.gov.uk
For further information about EMA for young adults attending college or university contact the college or university direct.
For general information about EMA in Scotland see the web site: www.emascotland.com/
Scottish Government – write to:
Education Maintenance Allowance
Higher Education and Learner Support Division
Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate
The Scottish Government
Europa Building
450 Argyle St
Glasgow
G2 8LG
Tel 0141 242 0134
Those applying to another local authority in Scotland
www.emascotland.com/newcontactla.htm
Information for those applying in England/Wales
EMA Helpline: 080 810 162 19
www.direct.gov.uk/ema
Back to Top