Changes to EMA and ALG entitlement

Home Learner Services Financial Support EMA and ALG

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. Changes have also been made to the Adult Learning Grant (ALG).

Details of how these changes will impact you are given below.

EMA Payments

• Learners who applied for EMA during academic year 2009/10
  If you are under 19 at the start of your course you will continue to be eligible for EMA during 2011/12 at the same weekly rate as you received the previous year, either £10, £20 or £30.
• Learners who applied for EMA during the academic year 2010/11 and received £30 per week
  If you received the maximum weekly payment of £30 per week and are under 19 at the start of your course you will be eligible to receive EMA during 2011/12; however, this will be at a reduced rate of £20 per week.
• Learners who applied for EMA during academic year 2010/11 and received £20 or £10 per week
  EMA funding will no longer be accessible to these learners but you may be entitled to assistance from the new Student Bursary (see below).
• EMA Agreements will be sent out to eligible students during the summer – please bring these to the EMA/ALG Team at Enrolment or when you return to college in September.

ALG Payments

• Learners who received ALG during 2010/11
  You will only be able to receive ALG in 2011/12 if you are continuing on your learning programme at the same level as in 2010/11. An ALG Agreement for 2011/12 will be sent out to you during the summer – please bring this to the EMA/ALG Team at Enrolment or when you return to college in September.
• Learners not eligible for ALG during 2011/12
  You will no longer be eligible for ALG payments in 2011/12 if you are beginning a new course or returning on the same course but at a different level from 2010/11. However, you may be entitled to assistance from the Learner Hardship Fund (see below).  An ALG Agreement for 2011/12 may be sent out to you over the summer but this does not mean that you will be eligible for ALG payments during 2011/12.  If in doubt contact the EMA/ALG Team for clarification.

It is no longer possible to apply for the Adult Learning Grant. The last date for ALG applications was 1st July 2011.

If you have any further enquiries regarding EMA, ALG, please contact the EMA/ALG Team on: 01332 387400 extension 4857