What is EMA for (Education Maintenance Allowance)?
EMA is a government funding scheme open to all college students aged between 16 and 18. The idea is to provide students with anything from £10 to £30 per week which is paid directly into your bank account to help you out with travel expenses, books, food for college etc. The amount you get is based on household income eligability and recieving it is dependant on your attendance at college. Put simply if you turn up to all your lessons and are marked as present on the register your college allows that weeks payment. If you dont turn up to college without having a reason (authorised absence) the college will not authorise that weeks payment and you dont get your money for the week. You can spend your EMA on whatever you want although its main purpose is for travel etc.
