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. 

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.

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.