Latest news with #EducationMaintenanceAllowance
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Thousands of people in Wales could be missing out on £40-per-week payment
Thousands of people in Wales could be missing out on £40-per-week payment Applications are now open for the Education Maintenance Allowance Pupils might be eligible for a £40 payment that can help with their further education (Image: PA ) If you live in Wales, and are aged between 16 to 18 year old, you might be eligible for a payment to help towards the costs of your further education. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), is a weekly payment of £40 that you can receive as long as you meet your school and college's attendance rules. The payment is made every two weeks, and you will need to fulfil some other conditions to receive the payment. Applications for the academic year 2025-2026 have now been opened, and you can apply online. This is you complete guide to EMA, eligibility, mode of payment, and how to apply. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here Am I eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance? You will be eligible for EMA if: You reside in Wales You are going to be aged between 16-18 years of age on August 31, 2025. If you are already aged 19 or over, you could be eligible for the Welsh Government Learning Grant Further Education. You can find out more this here. You are attending an eligible school or college in the UK full-time, for at least 12 hours per week, and studying an eligible course. Eligible courses include Independent Living Skills or, if studying in England, Preparation for Adulthood. Your course must last a minimum of 10 weeks. Your household income is £23,400 or under Alternatively, your household income is £25,974 or less and there are other young people in your household who qualify for Child Benefit. Your parents/guardians will need to give details of their income as part of your application for EMA. Article continues below How is the Education Maintenance Allowance paid? All EMA payments will be directly deposited into a bank, building society or credit union account in your name. If you do not already have an account, you would need to set one up whilst applying for EMA. Before the EMA payments are started, you will need to fulfill the following conditions: You must agree to and sign your EMA Agreement with your school or college; Your school or college must confirm your attendance to StudentFinanceWales. No payment can be processed until these conditions are met. How to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance? If you're new to Education Maintenance Allowance for the academic year 2025 to 2026, you can apply online by clicking here. You'll need to either create an account or sign in if you've already got one. The application process should take roughly 30 minutes. Article continues below If you're unable to apply online, you can send a paper application form to Student Finance Wales. You can access the application form by clicking here. Guidance notes are available to assist you in filling out the form which you can access by clicking here. Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2026.
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government pressure on Chancellor to tackle poverty
First Minister Eluned Morgan MS, Jane Hutt MS, and Mark Drakeford MS, are pushing for changes to social security policy, particularly advocating for the end of the two-child benefit rule. The calls come as the UK Spending Review nears its conclusion, with the Ministerial Group's work becoming increasingly crucial. The government warns that, without action, child poverty is set to rise by 100,000 children annually throughout the UK parliamentary term. The Welsh Government is also working with the Patriotic Millionaires, a group proposing alternative ways to raise significant funds to combat poverty without increasing taxes on working families. Successive Welsh Governments have implemented various measures to alleviate poverty, which they claim leave more money in the pockets of Welsh citizens. These measures include an inclusive childcare scheme for three and four-year-olds, help with school-related costs, expanding the Flying Start programme for children in disadvantaged areas, and a student support scheme. The Welsh Government says it has used its devolved powers to oversee the rollout of free school meals for all primary school children, increases to the Education Maintenance Allowance, and the Claim What's Yours initiative in a bid to tackle child poverty. The Welsh Benefits Charter, which has been adopted by 22 local authorities to increase the uptake of Welsh benefits, is another tool the government is using in the fight against child poverty. The Welsh Government continues to utilise its devolved powers to address child poverty and is calling on the Chancellor to consider various revenue-raising options to ensure funds are directed towards improving children's lives. The government remains committed to supporting children and families, especially those in disadvantaged areas, as the UK Spending Review draws to a close.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
High-achieving Kerry students win scholarships that will cover duration of undergraduate studies
Ruairi Bourke from St Patrick's Secondary School in Castleisland, Darragh O'Keeffe from St Michael's College in Listowel and Matthew Noonan Daly from Killarney Community College were each honoured at the All-Ireland Scholarships Awards Ceremony in University Concert Hall at University Limerick on Friday, April 25. Li Chen of St Brigid's Presentation Secondary School in Killarney and Orna O'Leary of Presentation Secondary School Milltown were also recipients of the scholarship award. The talented students will each receive €6,750 per annum for the duration of their studies, courtesy of the scholarship. The sponsor of the Scholarship Awards, JP McManus, was in attendance at the ceremony. Mr McManus said he was honoured to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of the 125 students who were honoured. 'To date, 1,924 students have received an All-Ireland Scholarship and 1,382 of those students have since graduated from university,' he stated. 'Today is a very special occasion for the class of 2024, their families, friends, and teachers. We wish them all the very best as they pursue their studies and university and look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the years to come.' The guest of honour at the event was Cuan Mhuire Bruree CEO, Sr Agnes Fitzgerald. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Patrick O'Donovan, and director of skills, strategy and policy at the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Graeme Wilkinson, were also present. The All-Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 and provide financial support to gifted students pursuing third-level education. ADVERTISEMENT The third-level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest-achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each county. The recipients must meet a further set of criteria, including attending a non-fee-paying school and be in receipt of a third level education maintenance grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) or be in receipt of an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students' third level studies.
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
MS highlights Wrexham's military traditions following VE Day
MS for Wrexham VE Day allows us to celebrate the resilience and togetherness of the British people who had lived through years of wartime constraints and dangers. It also provides the opportunity to reflect and the 80th anniversary commemorations that took place last week have been particularly poignant as it will be one of the last major public moments of recognition for the diminishing number of veterans from World War Two. As direct links to the past fade, it's more important than ever that we remember those who defended our democracy and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life. Wrexham is a city with a strong military tradition and a proud association with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, dating back over 300 years. It played its part in the national commemorations last Thursday with a special service taking place at St Giles Parish Church. Afterwards, the RWF Volunteer Corps of Drum led a parade to the cenotaph on Bodhyfryd and I was proud to lay a wreath, alongside other local dignitaries. It is always heartwarming to see so many members of the public in attendance paying their respects to our Armed Forces past and present. Students aged 16 – 18 can now check to see if they're eligible for financial support following the Welsh Labour Government's decision to expand the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). EMA can be used to help with education costs such as transport, meals or study supplies. This year, even more learners in Wales can benefit from the scheme as income thresholds have been raised. Households with one dependent child are now eligible if their income is £23,400 or less. Households with two or more dependent children are now eligible if their income is £25,974 or less. At £40 a week, the Welsh EMA is the most generous package of support of its kind in the UK and almost 2,000 EMA applications have been approved in Wrexham since 2022. The financial support makes a tangible difference to people's lives and I am pleased even more students look set to benefit from September. Applications for 2025-26 are now open and you can check your eligibility and apply for EMA via the website. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- General
- Wales Online
The teenagers who get paid to go to school in Wales
The teenagers who get paid to go to school in Wales Education Maintenance Allowance is a 'vital' way to keep teenagers studying and not give up school, said one teacher where more than half of sixth formers get the payment "EMA has been fundamental to my success," says Evan Gill 18, who is about to take maths, further maths, physics and geopgraphy A levels and is going on to university. (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Teenagers have described the cost of staying in school with some saying they could not afford to stay in education after the age of 16 without extra help from the Welsh Government. They were speaking after thousands more 16 to 18 year olds were made eligible for a £40 weekly payment from the Welsh Government. The Education Maintenance Allowance aims to help teenagers who return to study after year 11 with transport, food, stationery, text books and other costs like kit they need. The payment was described as "essential" and "vital" with the cost of living hiking up prices. One inner city school said more than half of pupils in its sixth form get the Education Maintenance Allowance. With the criteria for who can get it now widened that is expected to rise. Matthew Rea head of sixth form at Fitzalan High in Cardiff, where 40% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, said: "We have 350 pupils in sixth form and 186 access EMA. It is vitally important. Some pupils would not return to sixth form without it." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Rahma Liban, 16, said weekly £40 EMA payments were one reason she'll be returning for A levels after taking GCSEs at Fitzalan High this summer (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) EMA gives eligible learners in Wales aged 16 to 18 £40 a week to help with education related costs and learning materials You can read about who can get EMA and how to apply here. "We all know the increase in the cost of living and you get to see that on a daily basis in school from referrals in access to our food bank. EMA is vitally important." Article continues below Rahma Liban, 16, who will finish year 11 after GCSEs this summer was undecided about whether to leave education altogether. She said the £40 weekly EMA payment persuaded her to return for A levels. "Knowing I can get EMA gave me a push to come back. This will really help and made it really clear I should stay on. "I take the bus to school which is only £2 a day but adds up and I also need money for stationery and books." Sixth former Raonaq Ali, 17, is studying imaths, chemistry, biology and physics A levels and wants to go on to medical school. He thinks his grades would be affected if he'd had to take a part time job during sixth form (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) As a year 12 pupil Aaliyah Brito, 17, has been getting EMA since September. Studying Welsh, history, English literature and PE A levels she has a heavy text book bill as well as needing to pay for bus fares and revision guides. "I would have come back without EMA but it has been a big help," she said. My sister is in the same school year so it is a lot of expense us both being at school." Evan Gill, 18, who is about to take maths, further maths, physics and geography A levels, said without the EMA he might not have been able to get the grades he needs to go on to university. "It's been fundamental to my success," he said. "Text books cost £20 odd each and even if you buy them second hand they are £10 and things like pens and paper for revision are surprisingly expensive. I work in the Principality Stadium and I would have had to take on more shifts there without EMA which would have affected my school work. "Things are more expensive and it can be a struggle. I have a sister in year 10 and an older sibling. I do know people who have not come back after 16 but EMA makes me feel more valued and I think education should be valued." Matthew Rea is head of sixth form at Fitzalan High School in Cardiff (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Raonaq Ali, 17, who hopes to study medicine and become a doctor after A levels has used his £40 a week EMA to pay for fares to and from school, books and fees to enter to academic competitions. "Without EMA I would have needed to get a part-time job, which would have affected my grades," the year 12 pupil, who is studying maths, chemistry, biology and physics A levels. "Having EMA makes me think I can focus on my studies and school and not have to get a part time job." Money worries, working part time jobs and not having enough funds for the books and stationery they need, let along for fares and food at school can all take a toll on academic achievement, said Mr Rea. He welcomed the widened access to EMA saying it was important to remove barriers to education for those not from the most economically privileged backgrounds. Further Education Minister Vikki Howells said the Welsh Government widened the criteria for eligibility for EMA on the advice and calculations of an independent review. "I know a lot of students post-16 work part time and it can be tempting to increase that to full time and that affects study. EMA is linked to attendance so it encourages those receiving it to attend school." The new eligibility rules for £40 a week EMA payments in Wales Households with one dependent child are now eligible if their income is £23,400 or less. Households with two or more dependent children are now eligible if their income is £25,974 or less. Individual schools or colleges will have a signed learning agreement with each learner setting out what their attendance must be for their programme of learning; failure to attend in accordance with this agreement may impact the learner's EMA. EMA is retained at a lower rate of £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland and was ended in England in 2011 New and continuing learners can check their eligibility and apply online here or speak to their school or college for help with applications. Article continues below
