Money for Learning at 16-19
If your child stays in school, college or training after 16, Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), could give them up to £30 a week to help them with their costs.
What is EMA?
Education Maintenance Allowance is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30. EMA is intended to help with the day to day costs such as travel, books and equipment when young people continue in learning at a school, college or training provider. Currently, EMA can be available where the household income is below £30, 810 per year. If you claim benefits, these will not be affected by any EMA payments.
Young people who start on an 'Entry to Employment' (e2e) course will receive the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment regardless of household income.
Young People are likely to qualify for EMA if they:
- are 16-19
- are studying on a full-time course (12 hours or more) in a sixth form, sixth form college or Further Education college OR
- take part in work-based learning without a wage, for example, Entry to Employment (e2e) or a Programme Led Apprenticeship
- have a household income of £30,810 or less - NB young people starting e2e will receive the maximum £30 weekly regardless of household income.
How to apply for EMA:
The easiest way to get an application pack is to request one online.You can also get an application pack by calling the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989 or by picking one up from school, college, learning provider or your local Connexions office.
EMA is paid straight into your child's bank account. If they haven't already got a bank account then they will need to open one. Click here for a booklet about basic bank accounts or visit Direct Gov. You can find out more about EMA at the Government's Directgov EMA website which has a section offering parents and carers advice and information on EMA.
Other sources of financial support for 16-19 year olds in learning:
- Child Benefit payments and Tax Credits usually stop when your child reaches 16. But the Child Benefit office can keep on paying them if your child is staying in relevant education or training. You may also be able to claim a Child Benefit extension if your child is under 18 and has registered for work, education or training.
Click here to find out more about Child Benefit and Tax Credits if your Child is 16 or over.
- Care to Learn: if your child is a young parent (under 20) and wishes to continue in, or return to learning, then they may be able to get help with childcare and travel costs through the government's Care to Learn scheme.You'll find lots of information about Care to Learn at Directgov. But if you have any further questions - or if your child needs some help with their application - either: call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989 or contact Connexions.
- To find out more about the different allowances and benefits your child may be entitled to, visit Directgov's money to learn pages.
- Or you can call the The Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989, for information and advice on applications for: EMA; the Adult Learning Grant; Care to Learn; the Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme, the Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme, Dance and Drama Awards and the Residential Support Scheme.
Money for Higher Education
If your child is considering entering Higher Education, then it's a good idea to find out what financial support they may be able to access to help them cover their costs. You can find out more on our page 'Money for Higher Education'.
