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Is the thought of continuing in further education after your GCSEs about as exciting as watching paint dry?
Maybe you just can’t wait to get stuck into school sixth form or college life? Or perhaps you haven’t really considered what you’re doing next year?
Whether you’re thinking about going to do A-levels or a vocational course, getting your hands on some much-needed cash will most certainly be very high up on your list of priorities. And you’ve probably also considered getting a job to make sure you always have some money to spend.
Well, we might just have the answer to your prayers.
You see, there’s a new kid on the block which could help you get some more cash in hand. If that’s not enough, it might also help you decide what to do next year.
What is it? It is called the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
The EMA is a weekly payment worth up to £30 per week for students who are aged 16-18 and planning to continue in further education, whether it’s at school sixth form, FE college or sixth form college.
But it’s not just the weekly allowance students can benefit from. There are also bonuses available if you remain on your course and make good progress with your learning.
So you think that sounds good? Well, that’s not all. Having money is one thing. Being able to spend it on what you want is another. Yes, you read correctly. You are in charge of every penny. Whatever you chose to do with your well-earned cash is up to you – the money is yours to spend or save exactly as you like.
To qualify for EMA in the academic year starting in September 2008 your annual household income must be below £30,810 (for tax year 2007/2008).
And there’s good news if you have a part-time job – any money you earn isn’t included in your overall household income.
The Government obviously won’t give you all this money without asking for something in return. However, the good news is that you just have to commit yourself to your course of study.
In order to qualify for your weekly payment of up to £30, all you need to do is to attend your course and do your work. Your attendance will be monitored each week of term.
The bonuses, however, are not only based on attendance but achievement too. You must demonstrate progress by meeting specific learning goals that are set and monitored by a teacher or tutor.
In other words, you get paid money to gain a good, solid education which will prove invaluable later on in life.
You will have to fill in an application form which includes a section where your parents/carers give details of their household income. The application form will then need to be sent to the Assessment and Payment Body – its address will be on the application form.
To get an EMA application form, you can either:
- phone 0800 121 8989
- ask your school, college or learning provider
- contact your Connexions personal adviser
Q: How will EMA applications be financially assessed?
A: You must apply for an EMA on a yearly basis. Each application will be means tested, based on household income. Families will be asked to provide a Tax Credit Award Notice, which is supplied by the Inland Revenue or P60. The relevant tax year will be the last complete tax year before the date of application for EMA (i.e. April 2008 for Autumn 2008 entry).
Parents or carers who have not applied for a TCAN should apply for one now. Contact the Inland Revenue on 0845 3003900 for further details.
Q: What if my parents/carers do not have a TCAN?
A: Applicants who cannot provide a TCAN, which shows a household figure for the relevant tax year, will be asked to provide alternative income evidence for that tax year – i.e. a P60.
Q: How will I receive my EMA?
A: Payments will be made directly into your bank account. No payments will be made by cash or cheque.
Q: Does the EMA affect my family’s/my other benefits?
A: No. It is specifically designed at helping families overcome the financial burden of supporting young people in further education. It is therefore paid in addition to other support provided by the Government such as the new Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Receiving EMA will not affect Child Benefit.
Q: Is EMA the only financial support available for 16-19 year olds who stay on in further education?
A: No. You may also benefit from the Learner Support Funds. Unlike the EMA, this is not a weekly allowance but it does provide financial help via a system of one-off payments for young people with particular needs such as help with the costs of books and equipment, or travel to and from their learning centre.
What? What do you mean you’re still not convinced?
Jokes aside, making a decision about whether you’re staying in further education is not one that should be taken lightly. However, there are several people and organisations that can help you make that decision. We have listed some of them here. These will provide you with knowledgeable, impartial advice about every aspect of your education and career. Click on the links below to find out more:
Connexions Direct - www.connexions-direct.com
Advice on careers and a number of other issues.
Worktrain – www.worktrain.gov.uk
Find out the qualifications you need for any career.
UCAS – www.ucas.com
The official site for universities and colleges. Find out what courses are available, where they are and how to apply.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) – www.dfes.gov.uk/nvq
The low-down on NVQs.
Student Money – www.studentmoney.org
Helpful guide to organising and planning your finances
DfES: Student Support – www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport
All kinds of useful resources for would-be students.
Education Maintenance Allowance – http://ema.direct.gov.uk/
All the information you need about the EMA.
Many other students have already gone through the decision-making process you’re currently going through. Read a couple of views on the EMA and how it’s helped them achieve their goals. Maybe their accounts will answer some of the many questions you, and your parents, might have:
Becky Kift, Wyke College
Becky Kift is now in the first year of a Chemistry Degree at Hull University. She is full of praise for the value of EMAs:
“It was a great help for me. It enabled me to get through college for a year and a half without having to get a job. It was only in the last few months that I got a job when I realised that my EMA was coming to an end.
“EMA gives you the incentive to go to lessons. For example, General Studies was timetabled but not part of my requirement for university. In that sense it was not important so I could have skipped some of the classes. In order to receive my EMA, I made sure I attended. Other friends on EMA took a similar view, irrespective of their motivation or subjects they were studying.
“Most of my EMA was spent on buying books and stationery but I did hear of one friend who said she spent some of hers on a driving lesson. I was planning to stay on anyway, but without the EMA life would have been more difficult.
It seems that the threat of payment being withheld is what makes the real difference, and Becky feels the system for making the payment was fair: “It should make you go to your lessons, although exceptions should exist for genuine reasons of non-attendance. I certainly missed it during the holidays!”
Damien Garwell, Wyke College
Damien Garwell is now realising a dream by studying medicine at Hull University. After achieving his required A-level grades from Wyke College, he is now embarking on what he hopes will be a very fulfilling career.
“I was intending to stay on anyway, but the EMA enabled me to concentrate fully on my studies. Without the weekly income from EMA I would have had to take a part-time job.”
A number of Damien’s friends made sure they attended all lessons when perhaps they might not have done: “Although I probably would have attended all lessons anyway, some of my mates turned up at times when perhaps they may have preferred not to.
“You come to rely on the money, so you make certain that you don’t miss out on it.
Damien also says the EMA amount was more than adequate: “My parents have a low income, so it was great not to have to rely on them. Most of the money went on day-to-day living on things like dinner money and revision guides. Very occasionally there might be a bit spare and I could afford to buy a CD.
“I was on the maximum level but even those who did not receive the maximum thought it was well worth having.” |