EMA 2010/11 Guide Discussion

Oldernotwiser

cd36uk wrote: »

Yes both my daughter and myself have queried it and tried to resolve it with the EMA department at the college, who are not helpful, more of an 'oh well' attitude, which is where my opinion of any excuse to not pay it, and they don't has come from.

Colleges don't pay EMA, they just administer it. They have no reson to make excuses not to pay it.

Although there seems to have been a slip up here, it's generally a good thing if institutions are strict about stopping payment for non attendance as it keeps the student in line.

littlehelper71

hi

my income for last year is about half that of last year,so i filled out the ema forms and wrote them a covering letter to explain my situation. i sent them my childrens tax credits award and said what my incmoe would be for this year and what i was managing to live on.the ema returned all my documents swiftly back to me and last week said that due to my income this year my son would quilify.so give it a try hope this helpsxxxxxxxxxxxxx just give it a go

littlehelper71

Alison_B wrote: »

We are in the same situation as the OP. We cannot get EMA due to earlings in 2009/2010 although DH has been made redundant at the beginning of the year and our income is very low.

Does anyone know if we can claim EMA from April next year or will it be classed as the same course year, so cannot claim until the start of September 1011?

send them your tax credit award for this year and explain your drop in income ,i've just done this and my son has just received his award .give it a try

bonnarwumin

Excuse my ignorance pls, but can any1 clarify this?

My earnings r under the £30,000 limit, however my husband's (daughter's step dad) earnings would take it over that amoumt! would this be taken into account if my daughter applied for EMA?? Her dad does pay maintenace, but not very much!

CONFUSED!!!!!!!!

Alexia66

I read very recently, on the Department for Education website, that EMA's are to be replaced and will not continue after Jan 2011.

MrsManda

Alexia66 wrote: »

I read very recently, on the Department for Education website, that EMA's are to be replaced and will not continue after Jan 2011.

It'll be closed to new applicants from January 2011

• The Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is going to be replaced by an enhanced discretionary learner support fund. Decisions about which young people should receive financial support will be made by schools, colleges, and training providers who are in a better position than Government to determine the needs of individual students. This new fund will be better able to target those young people who face a real financial barrier to participation.
• Young people currently receiving the EMA will continue to receive it for the rest of the academic year. They will not receive it in the next academic year.
• The EMA scheme will close to new applicants from January 2011.

What Does The Spending Review Mean For Me? 16-19 Education -DfEducation

Cheeselady

Thanks for that info, about time they sorted it out so it only goes to those who really need it.

cd36uk

Cheeselady wrote: »

Thanks for that info, about time they sorted it out so it only goes to those who really need it.

I thought as it was means tested (applicable to those under a certain earning threshold) it WAS going to those who really need it :shocked:

jennie65

EMA will close to new applicants from January 2011. Learner support funds will be available through schools, colleges and training providers to help students who most need it to continue in learning. If you currently get EMA you will continue to receive it for the rest of this academic year, but you will not receive it next academic year

I must walk about with my head in the sand, as i was unaware the ema was going to be stopped. As a lone working parent this is very valuable to aide my teens in getting to college as bus passes and fares are quite pricey, one textbook for my daughter cost £35, I only earn £18000 pa and pay £750 a month rent. so money is tight. I could be better of if i chose not to work and live off benefits but i dont, i choose to work.

How can the college possibly know which kids need help, unless we all go in pleading poverty to the college, which i'd rather not to, the means testing of the EMA worked well and did not single out the kids, or shame them in any way.

Cheeselady

cd36uk wrote: »

I thought as it was means tested (applicable to those under a certain earning threshold) it WAS going to those who really need it :shocked:

That's not really true, as the second parent income (for the parent living away from the family but still contributing) is not counted in, so in effect someone with an very high income could still claim it. I know of one family who claim and the mother's income is just under £40,000 and the father's income (living away from home due to separation) is £60,000 and the child still gets EMA, which is ridiculous, so hopefully this new system will work out better and stop it being paid out to families who do not really need it to send their child on to further education.