EMA – Educational Maintenance Allowance – is a national programme that provides support for 16–18 year old students who stay in education. You can get EMA if you are attending a valid course that is more than 12 hours a week and your annual household income is around £30,810 or less. Your school should have an EMA application pack, alternatively pick one up from any main ncn Reception or call 0115 9 100 100.
Funding ranges from £10–£30 a week and is paid straight into your bank account. You will sign an EMA Contract with the College, which sets out what is expected of you in terms of attendance, coursework and progress. You must attend all of your classes in a week to receive your allowance; there are normally no payments for absences. You may also receive bonuses of up to £100 if you remain on your course and make good progress with your learning – this will be assessed using your Individual Learning Plan. The funding can be used to buy books and materials or help with your travel costs. Students on our Programme Lead Pathways courses are also entitled to apply for EMA.