Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

What is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?

EMA is an allowance of £30 per week which is paid to people who remain in school, full time after their 16th birthday.

You can get EMA for up to 3 years.

You do have to apply each year.

You do need to attend school regularly.

You will need to complete a Learning Agreement. This is a contract between you and your school.

More information is available in our guide and from EMA Scotland.

Who can apply?

When you apply for EMA, the council will decide if you are eligible based on the information you give us in your application.

This includes asking if you plan to stay in school for at least 21 hours a week, after you turn 16.

If you are already 16 or your birthday is before 30th September 2020, you can apply for EMA at the beginning of term (August 2020).

If you turn 16 between the 1st October 2020 and the 28th February 2021, you can apply from January 2021.

You do need to be going to school in Stirling, or you are home educated and living in Stirling.

As part of your application for EMA we will also consider your household income. This is because EMA applications are means tested.

Will it affect benefits? No. EMA is currently paid over and above Child Benefit, Tax Credits and other benefits. If you can provide Tax Credit Award Notice (TCAN) for 2020/21 this may help speed up the processing of your application.

What if I am unable to provide all the information required? Retrospective awards will be arranged once all necessary proof has been supplied. However, you should submit your application before the cut-off date. You can either attach information to the online form or email the team direct at EMA@stirling.gov.uk.

Can applications be made by more than one child in a family? Yes, if they are over 16 years old they can apply.

When is the EMA Paid? Usually fortnightly in arrears. A payment schedule is issued with Award Letters giving details of when payments will be made.

How is the EMA paid? It will be paid by BACS transfer to your bank account.

Will I be paid for school holidays? No, you will only be paid for weeks in attendance at school, up to a maximum of 42 weeks in any one academic year.

Does my performance at school affect the EMA? Yes. Payments can be withheld on the following bases:

if attendance falls below 100% in any week, no payment will be made for that week unless absence has been approved by the school or covered by a medical certificate
if Learning Agreement conditions are not met

What period does this application cover? An award, if made, will be for one school year only. A new application must be submitted each year.

Support for Vulnerable Students Flexibility may be extended to applicants who may need additional support such as students sharing their learning time between school and home. Additional support can be given to those who need assistance with the completion of the EMA application form and for those with additional support needs. (PLEASE NOTE all students must satisfy the main eligibility criteria of date of birth, household income, learning over 21 hours a week and residency rules).

College Applicants EMAs are also available to 16 to 19 year olds attending college courses. Information and application forms will be available from the colleges. Stirling Council only deals with EMAs for students staying on at school.

Please Note: This information is intended as a general guide and it should not be regarded as a statement of the statutory position.

Important Deadlines

30 September 2020: Final date for applications to be in for August intake to be eligible for back payment to the beginning of term.

28 February 2021: Final date for applications to be in for January intake to be eligible for back payment to the beginning of term.

31 March 2021: Closing date for ALL applications for the academic year 2020/2021.

Contact Us

Contact Number - 01786 233210

Email Address - EMA@stirling.gov.uk

Postal Address - EMA Team, Teith House, Kerse Road, Stirling, FK7 7QA