Financial support for students
Financial support for students undertaking post-16 study (EMA)
- Financial support for students
- Student finance 2008-2009 higher education
Financial support for students undertaking post-16 study (EMA)
Education Maintenance Allowance
Grants are available to assist students from low income families with the cost of travel, books, materials and other expenses if they are staying-on at school or attending college. Details of how to apply for this help and the normal conditions under which grants are payable are described below.
Education Maintenance Allowance
EMA can give you up to £30 a week to help you get more qualifications or vocational skills after 16.
This includes full-time further education courses at college or school, an LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) programme, or a Programme Let Apprenticeship.
The extra cash will come in handy and, because it's paid directly to you, you'll be a bit more independent and won't have to rely so much on your parents or carers. We want to encourage you to continue learning because skills and qualifications mean you're likely to earn more money when you get a job. Learning can also help you work out what you enjoy, what you're good at and what you might want to do in life.
Having at least five good GCSEs or their equivalent, like an NVQ level 2, really helps you get on in life - research proves it. Thanks to EMA, money need not be a barrier to helping you do well, and your hard work and success will be recognised by cash bonuses too.
Did you know?
- EMA can make continuing learning more affordable.
- You can get extra cash to buy the things you need, and bonuses for doing well on your course or learning programme.
- You won't have to ask you parents or carers to pay for things so often.
- You can focus on getting new skills and qualifications and experience shows these can lead to better opportunities in the future.
- Your household benefits will not be affected by EMA payments.
EMA checklist
- You are 16, 17 or 18 and about to leave, or have already left, compulsory education.
- You are thinking of joining an LSC-funded e2e programme or starting a full-time further education course at college or school, or becoming a Programme Led Apprentice.
- The learning must take place in England.
- Your annual household income used for assessment purposes is below the relevant EMA threshold (for tax year 05/06 - £30,810).
| If your household income is: | |
|---|---|
| up to £20,817 per year | you get £30 per week |
| £20,817 - £25,521 per year | you get £20 a week |
| £25,522 - £30,810 per year | you get £10 a week |
| More than £30,810 per year | No entitlement to EMA |
If you wish to apply for EMA and are thinking of taking a further education course at school or college between now and August 2007, or an LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) programme, or a course that leads to an Apprenticeship between now and August 2007, please call the EMA helpline on 0808 10 16219 for an application pack.
Application packs are also available from the school or college attended.
EMA recipients may qualify for additional support with travel costs but normally only where the weekly home-to-school/college travel costs are more than one third of the value of the weekly EMA received by the student.
If you cannot qualify for an EMA, you may be able to receive other financial support from your college or LEA. Further details are given below.
Students with special educational needs
Applications for assistance with transport costs for students with special educational needs will first be considered under the policy described above. All students are encouraged to travel independently but where the nature of the student's special educational needs are such that this is not possible, consideration will be given to assistance with the provision of transport. Special conditions apply in these cases and a copy of the full policy document which outlines these conditions can be obtained from The Special Needs Team.
Childcare costs
Supplementary grants are also available for childcare costs. Please ring the Education Department (on 020 8760 5521) if you would like more information about this.
Disabled students - travel
Subject to certain terms and conditions 'freedom passes' (which are issued by the Social Services Departments of local authorities to people with disabilities), provide free travel on buses, trains, trams and Underground services. On the Underground, buses and trams, free travel with these passes is available at all times. The freedom pass is not valid on all train services; on eligible services free travel on trains is available after 9.30am. For enquiries regarding the freedom pass scheme please see contact details: Travel enquiries - freedom passes.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Student Loans
- education.support@croydon.gov.uk
- Contact name
- Travel Enquiries (London Travel)
- Telephone
- 020 7222 1234
- Typetalk
- 020 7918 3015
- Contact name
- Travel Enquires (Transport for London)
- Website
- www.tfl.gov.uk
- Contact name
- Travel Enquires (Southern Railway)
- Website
- www.southernrailway.com
- Contact name
- Travel Enquires (Freedom Passes)
- Telephone
- 020 7747 4858
- mobility@alg.gov.uk
- Website
- www.freedompass.org
- Contact name
- BRIT School
- Telephone
- 020 8665 5242
- admin@brit.croydon.sch.uk
- Address
- BRIT School
60 The Crescent
Croydon
CR0 2HN
- Contact name
- Harris CTC
- Telephone
- 020 8771 2261
- info@harrisctc.org.uk
- Address
- Harris CTC
Maberley Road
Upper Norwood
London SE19 2JH
- Contact name
- John Ruskin College (Student Information Officer)
- Telephone
- 020 8651 1131
- info@johnruskin.ac.uk
- Address
- John Ruskin College
Selsdon Park Road
South Croydon
CR2 8JJ
- Contact name
- Croydon College (Welfare, Advice and Counselling Service)
- Telephone
- 020 8686 5914
- info@croydon.ac.uk
- Address
- Croydon College
Fairfield
Croydon
CR9 1DX
- Contact name
- Coulsdon College (Assistant Principal (Students))
- Telephone
- 01737 551176
- gen.enquiries@coulsdon.ac.uk
- Address
- Coulsdon College
Placehouse Lane
Coulsdon
- Contact name
- Student Support Team
- Telephone
- 020 8760 5457
- andrea.barrett@croydon.gov.uk
- Address
- Croydon LEA
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1TP
- Contact name
- Special Needs Team
- Telephone
- 020 8726 6000 ext 65468
- Address
- Croydon LEA
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1TP
