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Money matters

 
You may have financial concerns about staying in education. Here we hope to answer your questions.

Do I have to pay for post-16 study?

No. All tuition fees are free and you may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). This is a weekly payment of £10, £20 or £30, depending on your family income.

How do I know if I can get EMA?

Overall your household income has to be under £30,810 per year. For 16+ students starting courses in September 2010, EMA will be:

  • £30 for students with a household income of £20,817 or less
  • £20 for students with a household income of between £20,818 and £25,521
  • £10 for students with a household income of between £25,522 and £30,810.

What is Education Maintenance Allowance?

It is an amount of money paid into your bank account during term time as long as you turn up to classes. You can also get bonuses of up to £500 over a two-year study period.

How do I apply?

If you want to apply for EMA, you can ask at any Gplus Centre.

Find your nearest Gplus Centre.

You can also speak to Connexions on 020 8921 8224, or call the government helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Get more information about EMA on the Direct.gov website.

Tax credits and benefits advice

To check if your family or you are missing out on tax credits or benefits, contact the Welfare Rights team.

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