EMA closed to new applicants in England

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. Schools, colleges and training providers have busary funds to help you if you’re studying or starting a course and face financial hardship.

Applying for the 16 to 19 bursary

16-19 bursary fund

If you’re aged between 16 and 19 years and think you might struggle with the costs for full-time education or training you may receive a bursary.

Students most in need will be eligible to receive a bursary of £1,200 a year. This group includes:

• people in care
• care leavers
• people claiming income support
• disabled young people who receive Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

Other students facing genuine financial difficulties may be awarded a bursary at the discretion of their school, college or training provider.

Unlike the EMA, schools, colleges and training providers will be responsible for awarding bursaries to students. With the exception of the £1,200 bursaries for students most in need, they decide on the amount. They will also decide when bursaries are paid, and will set conditions that students should meet to receive a bursary, for example, linked to behaviour or attendance.

Young people currently receiving EMA

You applied in 2009/10

If you first applied successfully for EMA in 2009/10 you’ll continue to receive the same level of weekly payments while you study in 2011/12.

You applied in 20010/11

If you first applied successfully for the maximum EMA payment of £30 a week in 2010/11, you’ll receive £20 a week while you study in 2011/12.

You’re in care, a care leaver, or receive an allowance

If you’re in care, a care leaver, on income support or receiving both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, your weekly EMA payments will be replaced with a bursary of £1,200 a year from September 2011. You’ll receive that bursary directly from your school, college or training provider.

Other students receiving EMA

If you get EMA at the moment but are not in one of these groups, you can still apply for a bursary through your school, college or training provider.

For more information you can visit the Directgov website here