Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in Northern Ireland

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly payment provided by Student Finance Northern Ireland to eligible students aged 16-19, helping them with the costs of further education. Its aim is to encourage young people from lower-income households to stay in education, improve their attendance and engagement, and ultimately enhance their learning outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for EMA in Northern Ireland, students must meet several criteria, focusing on age, course type, residency, and household income:

• Age: Students must be between 16 and 19 years old on the last day of June, August, December, or February depending on when their course started.
• Course Type: The course must be a full-time course of further education, such as A-Levels, vocational qualifications, or certain training programs, undertaken at a participating school or college in Northern Ireland. Higher Education courses are not eligible.
• Residency: Students must be ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland on the first day of the course.
• Household Income: The household income must be below a certain threshold. For the 2024/2025 academic year, the income threshold is £22,677 or less where there is one dependent child in the household, or £25,661 or less where there are two or more dependent children.

Amount of EMA

Eligible students can receive £30 per week, paid directly into their bank account every two weeks, provided they meet the required learning agreement and attendance criteria.

Applying for EMA

The application process is managed by Student Finance NI. Students typically need to apply online, providing evidence of their identity, course details, and household income. Parent(s) or guardian(s) will also need to provide financial information. Applications are generally open from around June for the upcoming academic year.

Conditions for Payment

Receiving EMA is not automatic; students must adhere to specific conditions to continue receiving payments:

• Learning Agreement: Students must agree to a learning agreement, outlining their attendance and coursework targets.
• Attendance: Good attendance is crucial. Payments are usually dependent on attending all timetabled classes and activities. Absence without a valid reason will likely result in payment deductions.
• Conduct: Students are expected to maintain good behaviour and engagement in their studies.

Support and Further Information

Student Finance NI is the primary source of information about EMA in Northern Ireland. Their website provides detailed guidance on eligibility, application procedures, and payment schedules. Students can also contact them directly by phone or email for assistance.

EMA plays a vital role in widening participation in further education, providing crucial financial support to young people from lower-income backgrounds and enabling them to pursue their educational aspirations.