EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE (EMA) - SCHOOL SESSION 2023 / 2024

You may already be aware of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme, which is available to students who stay on at school after they reach the statutory school leaving age. This scheme, which is funded by the Scottish Government, could benefit you by £30 per week if you intend to return to school in August.

Students who are 16 prior to 1 October 2023 are eligible to apply for an EMA payable from the start of the school session in August 2023. Students who reach the age of 16 Between 1 October 2023 and 29 February 2024 are eligible to apply for an EMA payable from January 2024.

The level of household income will be taken into account and also whether there is another child in your home aged between 0-16 or if there is another dependent in your home aged between 16-25 in further or higher education, you are advised to show the information to your parents / carers for guidance on this.

The process of applying for an EMA is now digital and, from Tuesday 4 July, you should access this through East Dunbartonshire Council’s website to apply. Additional information e.g. guidance notes and policy document, etc. will also be available on our website from this date. You can apply from 4 July 2023 – the earlier you submit your application the better as this will help ensure that payment of your EMA commences as early as possible in the new school session.

Please note that you must complete a new application form for each academic year, so if you received EMA last year, you must re-apply if you wish to continue to receive this.

If you are eligible to receive an EMA payable from the start of the school session in August, it will not be possible to backdate weekly payments if your application is received after 30 September 2023. For pupils eligible from January 2024 it will not be possible to backdate payments if your application is received after 29 February 2024. The cut-off date for processing application forms is 31 March 2024.