Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
If you are under 18 years old at the official start date of your course, you will be assessed for an EMA.
An EMA is not a loan.
EMA is only available once you have reached your statutory school leaving date. Students who are 16 between 1 October 2022 and 28 February 2023 will not be eligible until January 2023 provided you are still attending your course in January 2023
The EMA is based on your household income. In addition to EMA, all students under 18 years may receive help with travel expenses and essential course materials as these as not means-tested against household income but you must meet the residency criteria and for travel, you must live at least 2 miles from the campus you will be studying at.
EMA is not paid during the holiday periods.
If you turn 18 years old during your course you will remain on EMA.
Scales for EMA
| Household Income | No of dependent children in household | Award |
| £0 - £24,421 | 1 | £30 |
| £0 - £26,884 | 2+ | £30 |
| £24,442 or above | 1 | NIL |
| £26,885 or above | 2+ | NIL |
How to apply for EMA and Course Materials
Once you have accepted your conditional or unconditional place, you will receive an email advising you to apply for funding once the funding application is open. You will be able to apply online via a PC, smartphone or tablet.