EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) is a scheme providing young people who wish to continue in education after school leaving age with an incentive to earn awards through good attendance and achieving agreed objectives. You can spend this money on whatever you want. It can help to cover day-to-day costs such as travel, books and equipment.
All eligible Post-16 students at the Academy are entitled to EMA. If you continue to do well and meet targets set by your teachers and tutor you will also earn a bonus of £100 each January and July. EMA comes in weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account. However, you will only get your money if you regularly attend and work hard on your course. It isn’t affected by any money you earn from part-time work. Also it won’t make any difference to any benefits your parents/carers get so they are still free to keep claiming child benefit, tax credits and so on.
For more information on household income thresholds and how much EMA you are entitled to please visit the EMA website www.ema.direct.gov.uk
You should receive an application pack when you are in Year 11. However, you can also get one from your Connexions personal advisor or from the Academy. You can also apply online or by telephone (0800 121 8989), where EMA helpline staff will talk you through your application.
If you are eligible for EMA, a Notice of Entitlement (NOE) will be sent to you confirming the weekly amount you will receive. It is important that you keep your NOE safe, as you will not be able to claim EMA without it. When you enrol in the Sixth Form, you must take your NOE with you on the day (or as soon as possible afterwards). You will also sign a learning agreement, setting out what’s expected of you in terms of attendance, behaviour, coursework and progress.