Educational maintenance allowances
Students who have reached the statutory school leaving age of 16 may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to enable them to remain at school.
In session 2017/18 students who are born before 1st March 2002 will be eligible to apply for an EMA.
The EMA guidelines explain the criteria which must be met in order to be eligible for an EMA and the rules which must be adhered to for the EMA to be paid throughout the year.
Eligibility
All applications are individually assessed. Students must be resident in North Lanarkshire and attend a school managed by North Lanarkshire Council, regardless of where he or she is resident.
The income used as the basis of the assessment is the gross household income for the preceding financial year. The income thresholds used in assessing applications in the Session 2017/2018 are shown below. These levels may be subject to change in session 2018/2019.
For applicants in single student households – £30 per week is paid where the income is up to £24,421. ; where the income is above that level no award will be made.
For applicants in multiple student households – £30 per week is paid where the income is up to £26,884; where the income is above that level no award will be made.
Attendance
Students in receipt of an EMA must attain 100% attendance in any week to receive payment for that week. Where the student is absent through illness a medical certificate must be submitted. In addition, self-certification forms are accepted for a maximum of 5 days sickness absence in the academic session. Any illness which would take the pupil over the 5 days self-certification would continue to require submission of a medical certificate.
A letter will be sent to the parent or guardian of all students who are in the eligible age-band to apply for EMA in May each year, providing details of the main eligibility criteria.
Application forms and guidance documents are sent to all secondary schools and special schools in North Lanarkshire in June each year. The school is also given a number of posters publicising the scheme and advertising the availability of forms. Students who may be eligible should obtain an application form and guidance document from the school. Application forms and guidance notes are only available from Schools, Municipal Buildings and First Stop Shops. They may be downloaded from the North Lanarkshire Council website.
Students who are eligible for EMA for the full academic session should apply as early as possible. Students, who are eligible for EMA from January to June, should apply from November.
Any student who is unsure whether they meet the EMA criteria should contact the EMA Section for advice.
EMA Application Form
https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=10607&p=0
EMA Guidance Notes
https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=10608&p=0
