Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) can give you a weekly payment of either £10, £20 or £30 a week depending on your household income. The money is intended to help with the day-to-day costs when you stay on at school, college or training provider - such as travel, books and equipment for your learning programme.

It is paid directly into your bank account if you stay on in learning at school or college after your GCSEs, and is available during term time for any academic or vocational course (up to level 3) which involves at least 12 hours of guided learning per week.

If you're entitled, you'll receive your EMA payment every week of your course as long as you turn up and show commitment to your learning programme. Most young people will be able to get EMA for two to three years depending on how long they need to finish their learning.