2008/09 EMA article discussion

Former_MSE_Natasha

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of the

EMA Article

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kelvinhanratty

Make sure to get your applications sent in ASAP.

Applications received after 28 days of you starting your course will only be backdated to that week, not the beginning of the course. It's therefore in your interest to get your skates on.

Please read the guidance notes thoroughly and provide answers to all questions and a bank statement (for the young person applying for EMA). If the young person doesn't have their own account, I would advise that they open one pronto. If they cannot administer their own account, for example due to disability, then another person's account may be used.

Proof of parental/carer income will need to be provided (main proof for most people is a Tax Credit Award Notice or TCAN). Please ensure that the income evidence supplied is for the 2007-2008 tax year - i.e. 6th April 2007 to 5th April 2008.

kelvinhanratty

If the young person is "independent", i.e. living alone, they may be eligible, provided that they are claiming Income Support or are a parent.

kelvinhanratty

Please remember to account for the whole year's income ... if you were not in receipt of benefits or working for part of the year, please account for how you were supported financially during these periods - e.g.

"between April-June 2007 I received maintenance from an ex-partner / redundancy pay out, etc."

kelvinhanratty

Common mistakes that students make when completing the ALG form are: -

• Not supplying an original bank statement/letter/form. This account must be held in the name of the applicant* and show the address & full account details. If you don't have an original statement, ask your bank to complete the form attached to the guidance notes or request confirmation on headed paper.

* unless the applicant cannot administer their own account - e.g. though disability or bankruptcy. If in doubt call the ALG helpline - 0800 121 8989

• If you have changed address,but the bank statement doesn't show the new address, you must supply a written statement providing an explanation - e.g. recently moved, parent's address (as the address marked on the form is term-time).
• Please supply original evidence to demonstrate your income from employment (questions B4-B6) for the whole 2007-2008 tax year - TCAN / P60 slips / P45 slips. If there are any gaps in employment or you weren't employed, please provide Proof of benefits (question B11) and/or state how you were financially supported (question B12).
• If have ticked YES to question A13 (do you have a partner), you need to complete the partner name, NI Number and their income details as well as your own details.
• If you answered NO to having a partner, you still need to complete Part B (your income details) for you. A large number of applicants leave Part B blank, as they misinterpret the wording of this question.
• Part B needs to include NI Number(s) and any income received within the 2007-2008 tax year. Anything before or after this tax year is of no use for the assessment of your claim.
• If you didn't work or receive benefits for any time during the 2007-2008 tax year, please state how you (or your partner) were financially supported - e.g. parents.

Remember, that if you live with parents or relatives, that the ALG team do not need to know about their income, just yours (and your partner/spouse if you live with them).

• You need to mark one box in the Residency conditions question (A8), if this is left blank, or multiple boxes are marked, this may delay your application.
• Please tell the ALG team about all qualifications that you have actually achieved in question A10, do not put the course you're studying now. If you're unsure, please send in your certificates with the application form or call the helpline.

I'll post more information when I have the opportunity, and hope that this helps you.

kelvinhanratty

ALG is only payable to full-time students (150 hours/term) aiming for their first FULL Level 2 (equivalent to 5x GCSE @ A-C or NVQ2) or Level 3 (equivalent to 2x A Level passes or NVQ3) qualification. i.e.

• If you have no qualifications or hold a basic Level 1 (or Entry Level) qualification, you can be funded for either Level 2 or Level 3 study.
• If you have a Level 2 qualification under your belt, then you can only be funded for Level 3 study.
• If you have a Level 3 (or higher) qualification already, you will not be eligible for ALG.

If you are currently claiming any 'out of work' benefit such as Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance, you cannot claim ALG at the same time as having an active claim. If you intend to come off these benefits, then it might be worthwhile applying. However, if you intend to stay on these benefits whilst you study, it is not worth applying.

tomgman

EMA is supposed to encourage people to stay on higher education, and support those financially who need it. The system has one big flaw, the way it decides who gets money.

My friend, neither parent works as they live off their interest from savings, gets EMA. His parents don't earn money, but are set for life and he still gets EMA.

Then there is me. I have my mom working and my dad is redundant. My mom is earns less than the lowest bracket so i should be entitled to £30. But No! My dad got made redundant in march this year. Now, my family is struggling to survive and they won't even give me a penny.

Just because your family earned a good amount last year, doesn't mean that they will this year. If my dad gets a job late enough in the year, i will still get EMA next year! So when my family is ok finicially i will then get the support!

How screwed up is the system!

kelvinhanratty wrote: »

Make sure to get your applications sent in ASAP.

Applications received after 28 days of you starting your course will only be backdated to that week, not the beginning of the course. It's therefore in your interest to get your skates on.

Please read the guidance notes thoroughly and provide answers to all questions and a bank statement (for the young person applying for EMA). If the young person doesn't have their own account, I would advise that they open one pronto. If they cannot administer their own account, for example due to disability, then another person's account may be used.

Proof of parental/carer income will need to be provided (main proof for most people is a Tax Credit Award Notice or TCAN). Please ensure that the income evidence supplied is for the 2007-2008 tax year - i.e. 6th April 2007 to 5th April 2008.

borntoshop

Quick question, I have read the guide and it doesnt say, this is for a single parent who reading guidelines seems elligble, but daughter 16 years old on a hairdressing course so in college for 12 hours but in a salon for some hours an paid a low wage.
The loss to household income with child allowance and family tax credit is more than the salon wage.
Can daughter claim EMA. Or anyother help please?

Davesnave

The system is grossly unfair to those studying for Art Foundation Courses. Most universities expect applicants to have done this 1 year full-time course, but it is not counted as any advance on A level for ALG.

My daughter, aged 19, is currently on this course and not only receives nothing in the way of ALG, but is also charged £1114 for the privilege. She went to work for a year to build up savings, but will see those eroded as she studies, especially when the workload gets more demanding. Because she is semi-skilled, at present she can put in a few hours after college and on one day at the weekend, but it is the lack of recognition that really gets to her.

Oldernotwiser

tomgman wrote: »

EMA is supposed to encourage people to stay on higher education, and support those financially who need it.

WRONG! The EMA is intended to encourage people to stay on in FURTHER education. Higher education is fully funded by loans and grants.

Oldernotwiser

borntoshop wrote: »

Quick question, I have read the guide and it doesnt say, this is for a single parent who reading guidelines seems elligble, but daughter 16 years old on a hairdressing course so in college for 12 hours but in a salon for some hours an paid a low wage.
The loss to household income with child allowance and family tax credit is more than the salon wage.
Can daughter claim EMA. Or anyother help please?

It depends on whether your daughter's course is classified as full time or not. If you're not sure, ask the college and see if she can transfer to a full time course if it isn't.