New Year’s Eve is ordinarily a time for celebration, reflection, and for making plans for the year ahead. This year, December 31 will also mark the last day that students in England can apply for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
Whilst the fight goes on to save EMA, current students and those who are planning to take courses between now and the end of the academic year need to be aware that, as it stands, students won’t be able to apply for EMA after December 31. You should apply before then even if your course starts after 31 December (but before 31 August 2011).
The deadline for requesting an application pack is Friday 17 December. And the deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 31 December. After this point, no more applications for EMA will be accepted. Click here for information on how to apply.
Between January and August 2011, there will be a very small amount of money available to help students in specific financial difficulty, but no EMA. This is why it’s important – if you need it - to apply for EMA now, and to tell other students aged 16-18 to do the same.