Education maintenance allowance

If you are staying on at school for session 2012-2013 you could be entitled to an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), a weekly allowance of £30 per week designed to encourage young people from low income families to further their education after compulsory schooling ends. It is paid in addition to any money you earn from a part-time job and it won't affect your parent(s)/carer(s) existing benefits. It is also available separately from colleges.

In addition if you are a young person engaging on an activity agreement you could also qualify for an EMA for the duration of your agreement.

The money is paid directly into your bank/building society account every two weeks during term time. If you do not have your own account you will need to open one. Find out more about opening a bank account.

EMAs are managed locally by the Council on behalf of the Scottish Government, who are ultimately responsible for policy and guidelines. 

You will normally be entitled to receive EMA payments from the first day of term or the first day you start your course. However late forms won't be backdated.

If you reach the age of 16 between October 2012 and February 2013 you are not entitled to EMA until 1 January 2013.