The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. From September 2011, EMA will be replaced with a new 16-18 year old Bursary. The EMA scheme is for existing recipients only. If you’re aged between 16 and 19 years and face financial hardship while you’re in full-time education you may receive a bursary.

If you are currently receiving EMA and will be on a full-time course in 2011/12, you may continue to receive it until the end of the 2011/12 academic year.

- If you received EMA in 2009/10, you will continue to receive EMA at the same rate as now (£10, £20 or £30 per week).

- If you have received EMA in 2010/11 and are getting the highest rate of £30 per week, you will continue to get EMA next year but your weekly payments will be reduced to £20.

- If you first received EMA in 2010/11 but are getting the lower weekly rates of £20 or £10, you will not get EMA in 2011/12. However, you may still be able to get financial help through the Learner Support Fund (forms available from Student Services).