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If you decide to stay on at school from August 2023, you may be able to get an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

EMA is a weekly payment of £30 for students who are planning to continue in post-compulsory education from August 2023.

Please note that there will be no bonuses payable for session 2023/24.

Payments will be made directly into your bank account.

Eligibility

You could receive EMA if:

  • you were born between 1 March 2004 and 29 February 2008
  • your household income is £24421 or below (for households with one dependent child)
  • your household income is £26884 or below (for households with two or more dependent children)
  • you are on a non-advanced further education course at school

What you need to do

You must attend all your course sessions and sign an EMA Learning Agreement with your school. This agreement will set out what is expected of you in terms of:

  • attendance
  • coursework
  • progress

When you need to apply

Autumn intake

If your date of birth falls between 1 March 2004 and 30 September 2007 you may be eligible for an EMA form the start of the academic year 2023/24.  If you are eligible for an EMA your application form must be submitted by 30 September 2023. If the application is received after this date the award will only be paid from the date the application is received by the EMA Section.

Winter intake

If your date of birth falls between 1 October 2007 and 29 February 2008 you may be eligible for an EMA from the start of the January term 2024.  If you are eligible for an EMA your application must be submitted by 29 February 2024. If the application is received after this date the award will only be paid from the date the application is received by the EMA Section.

For session 2023/24 the cut-off date for processing application forms is 31 March 2024. No applications will be processed after this date.

How to apply

Log in or sign up for a customer account and apply online:

Apply for Education Maintenance Allowance

For further information please email us at ema@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or visit mygov.scot/ema.

Please note we will accept no liability for any loss or damage to personal documents.

Contact Information

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Civic Centre South
London Road
Kilmarnock
KA3 7BU
Telephone: 07741 083998
Telephone: 07741 083987