Education Maintenance Allowance - EMA

EMA is an allowance of £30, £20 or £10 a week to help you out with things like books, travel and equipment if you carry on learning after 16. If you complete your course and do well you could also get cash bonuses.

You may qualify for EMA if:

•You are aged 16,17 or 18 and about to leave, or have already left, compulsory education.

•The annual income of your household for tax year 05/06 was less than £30,810.

•You are thinking of starting a full-time Further Education course at college or school, an LSC-funded Entry to Employment programme, or a course that leads to an apprenticeship.