Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Article Discussion

cashdogg666

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

55K (plus your benefits)is a good income, even to support a family of 6. I'm not sure that many people would wish to see a family on this level of income subsidised out of public funds. I would have thought that this level of income was ample to fund your children's educational needs. You can't really mean that you can't afford pocket money on this sort of income!

im 20 and at uni. i didnt get any ema whilst at 6th Form and had to work all weekend to pay for everything i needed. my mum doesnt work but my dad does earn over the threshold amount, however he couldnt/cannot afford to support me. i disagree with ema as just because the parents earn a certain amount does not mean they can afford to support their child through their education. i felt like i was penalised just because of my dad's job. i couldnt do coursework or revision over weekends because i had to work. i still have a job at uni to support myself as i dont get the extra bursaries available for those from low income families. everyone should have access to these funds if they are not being supported by their parents

Oldernotwiser

cashdogg666 wrote: »

everyone should have access to these funds if they are not being supported by their parents

And how many people's parents would support them if the students could get extra money if they didn't?

Parents have the choice as to whether they support their children and receive substantial government funds when they're in education below university level. If they choose not to spend this on their children that's not the government's fault.

bestpud

cyleos wrote: »

When you are part of a working class family, struggling to keep up with the high financial demands of todays society and are relying on EMA to get you through the week, and it randomly appears in your bank account whenever it feels like it, then it is really hard to comply with it (and its rules).

If it came on a regular basis i.e every other monday, then i would be able to balance my funds and live with what ive got.
But when they skip weeks and add the missing payments on to others (without giving any notice of this) then it is really hard to keep track of when you are going to have money. (and when this is all that you live on then it obviusly isnt good!)

It isnt just me that finds myself in this situation fairly often as there are many other people i know who feel the same.
EMA is terribly unreliable.

Is it really all you have to live on?

Yes, it is inconvenient, but you have a roof over your head and food in your belly, I assume? And you aren't worrying about paying the gas bill, or the like?

If you need it for transport or the like, surely your parents will lend you the money rather than see you unable to attend college?

ferrettpecker

cyleos wrote: »

If it came on a regular basis i.e every other monday, then i would be able to balance my funds and live with what ive got.
But when they skip weeks and add the missing payments on to others (without giving any notice of this) then it is really hard to keep track of when you are going to have money. (and when this is all that you live on then it obviusly isnt good!)

EMA is paid every Friday. In order for this money to go in, payment runs are done on a Tuesday. If your payments go in on other days its because there was a delay somewhere at college (e.g. registers handed in late, you were late and marked absent, you've been absent and not filled in the correct paperwork on time or followed the correct procedure) or it could be that the system we actually use to pay is so slow and when you've got over 800 students to pay on a Tuesday, any problems with the system sometimes (rarely) means that they don't all get done and are done on a wednesday (which would make the funds clear in your account on a Monday).

It's been all over the news about problems with EMA from when Liberata completely messed up at the start of term. It can't all be fixed in a day.

Just be grateful that you're getting your money - thousands of students STILL haven't even recieved their contract yet. Every student who has come in to see us about not being paid on time moans because it means they can't get credit for their phone or go out at the weekend. Excuse me if I'm wrong, but that isn't what EMA is for. If you want the luxuries, get a job!

Sorry for the rant, but everyone is trying their hardest to sort this mess out, and it annoys me when students moan and can't see the bigger picture.

emilyt

My daughter still hasn't recieved any E.M.A Payments. She has now decided to leave the course she was doing and has fortunately got a job in a building society. I know if she was recieving her E.M.A payments she would have carried on with her accountancy course. We have supported her but she thinks it is better to be in work earning money. I just hope she has made the right decision.

RIISE

I checked my account today and for some reason i had £480 from EMA along with 2 £30 payments, i have no clue why this has happened.

I havent back dated any weeks so where £480 come from i have no idea, has this happened to anyone else

mikhailv

RIISE wrote: »

I checked my account today and for some reason i had £480 from EMA along with 2 £30 payments, i have no clue why this has happened.

I havent back dated any weeks so where £480 come from i have no idea, has this happened to anyone else

DO NOT SPEND IT.

I had that in october, and what have i got today?

Summons from EMA saying i owe them £360 IMMEDIATELY.

Apparently they over paid me. So i questioned them why i have been over paid. They said two people have the SAME bank details. Which, is impossible. Why didnt they pick up on it earlier? Not only that, but i quested the EMA office, like others, who had alot go in, and it was apparently fine they didnt know why, but said not to worry!

Anyway, two people have the same account as me. Thats difficult, i asked didnt the computer seperate numbers, as an IT student, i know they should, and he wouldnt answer. Then I said, why was I paid 120, then 150 then 30, then a 60. I mean, surely if it was one persons other account, it would be just one sum. He didnt answer. I finally asked, about my details going to another account, and he said he didnt know if any other accounts had the same.

I am EXTREMLY angry. I goto work for 10 hours a week, and get paid what, 40 a week? I have just got a car so i can traverse from work and to college (the closest college bus is an hour and half away), let alone having to goto work straight after college, which i dont mind. But insurance takes most my wages, and My ema often goes to petrol and to save in an account for uni.

This is bullsh!t.

dinigrow

I've not been on this forum for a while It was very interesting to read the forum link posted by 999 - so thanks for that.

I see nobody has posted anything since February though. Does that mean things are finally back on track?? I must admit, from my recent experience, the helplines are SO much better than they were and any queries I've had have been dealt with quickly and efficiently.

I'm glad that we seem to be coming out of the other side of this year's shambles!! I only hope that the online 'interim' payment system is upgraded over the summer ready for next year!

Anyway, no doubt there will soon be a few queries regarding 2009/2010 applications, so thought I'd share what is currently flashing up on the payment system, which you should find useful...

EMA APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2009/10 AND THE EMA GUARANTEE
This communication is to inform you of the process for the EMA Guarantee.
Learners returning for the 2009/10 EMA Year
Learners who have been paid EMA during the 2008/09 academic year do not need to reapply. The EMA Guarantee means that they will be eligible for support at the same level until the end of the academic year in which they turn 19.
Please be aware that some learners may choose to reapply if their household income has reduced.
Learners who received an EMA payment during 2008/09 will automatically receive a continuing entitlement letter and an EMA Agreement before the end of May 2009. As a learning provider, you will use this continuing entitlement letter in exactly the same way as the EMA Notice of Entitlement, i.e. to add the learner to the payment system using the Learner Support Reference Number.
We will be writing to learner’s parents or carers shortly to explain this process.
Learners who do not receive a letter and an Agreement by the end of May should contact the Learner Support Helpline on 0800 121 8989.
E2E learners
Those learners who are on E2E programmes of study that will extend beyond 31 August 2009 will be sent a letter outlining their options nearer the time.
Learners who are enrolled on E2E programmes of study that will not extend beyond 31 August 2009 and who have not received a full income assessment in the 2008/09 EMA year are not eligible for the EMA Guarantee and should reapply for support in 2009/10.

Fingers crossed that the next academic year will all go swimmingly! :rolleyes:

mayezy

Hi there,
I will be beggining my 2 year a level course in a couple of weeks time, and i was wondering if i am entitled to ema. My mum lost her job in february 2009, and my dad's income is under £30k per year, but the rules state to qualify for EMA in the academic year starting September 2009, your annual household income must be below £30,810, for tax year 2008-09.

Does this mean i am not entitled to ema?
Thanks

Ziggy_Stardust

mayezy wrote: »

Hi there,
I will be beggining my 2 year a level course in a couple of weeks time, and i was wondering if i am entitled to ema. My mum lost her job in february 2009, and my dad's income is under £30k per year, but the rules state to qualify for EMA in the academic year starting September 2009, your annual household income must be below £30,810, for tax year 2008-09.

Does this mean i am not entitled to ema?
Thanks

Possibly so, we had this argument with them for my eldest daughter however after a year you can apply to be re-evaluated and get it in your 2nd year if you drop below the income levels. They pretty much go by the child tax credits form for that date period.