EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

What is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

It is a weekly payment of up to £30, paid to all students under 18 who stay on in further education after the end of compulsory school leaving age. You may also be able to receive two bonus payments of £150, if you remain on your course and make good progress.

Who can apply for an EMA?

For this year (2009/10) only, those full-time students who are under 18 yrs old on 24 August 2009 and whose 16th birthday falls between 1 March 1993 and 30 September 1993 may apply for an EMA from the August 2009 intake. Students born between 1 October 1993 and 28 February 1994 may apply, and be considered for an EMA/Travel Bursary only from the January 2010 intake. Your award will be means tested against your parents’ income. All students who will be 18 on or before 24 August 2009 may apply for a bursary in the academic year 2009/10.

How do I apply?

You can complete the Bursary/EMA application form and your award will be processed. You will then be notified if you are eligible and how much you can expect to receive.

How long will EMA support be available?

You will receive support for the length of your course, if you achieve 100% attendance and make satisfactory progress with your course work. However, you will not receive any money during college holidays (October, Christmas and Easter).

How much can I expect to get on an EMA?

The actual amount depends on your total taxable household income as detailed below:

INCOME	WEEKLY PAYMENT
Zero- £22,403	£30 per week
£22,404 - £27,645	£20 per week
£27,466 - £33,156	£10 per week

What about the bonuses?

Bonuses will be paid twice a year in January and June (£150 each). You must have shown acceptable levels of attendance, behaviour and progression. Your course tutor will carry out progress reviews and if you meet the criteria, you will receive your bonus. However, if your EMA application is received later than 6 weeks from the start of the course year, you may not be eligible for the bonus.

How will I be paid?

You will be paid every two weeks in arrears based on previous weeks' attendance. This payment will be made straight to your bank/building society account by BACS transfer.

What are my responsibilities?

EMAs are subject to satisfactory conduct, progress and attendance. If you fail to meet these conditions, your award may be withdrawn without notice. By signing a Learning Agreement you agree to abide by the terms and conditions laid down by Skye & Wester Ross College.

Where can I get more information?

You can contact the college and speak to the Student Awards Officer or log on to www.emascotland.com

STUDENTS WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF A FE BURSARY

A Student is required to achieve a monthly average attendance of 80%. Failure to achieve this may result in the bursary being withheld, unless there is appropriate satisfactory evidence on file (authorised absence forms/ medical certificate).

Any student who has an average monthly attendance of less than 80% and has not produced the above evidence to the Students Awards Officer, will automatically have their bursary payment reduced by the % amount the attendance is below 80% for that month (eg attendance 70%, bursary payment reduced by 10%).

All students who continue not to achieve the required average monthly attendance will be interviewed by the member of the Management Team with responsibility for student finances.