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You can start getting EMA payments as soon as you start your course, as long as you apply on time, agree and sign a Learning Agreement with your school or college and meet your attendance requirements.
Once we have approved your application and your school or college confirm you have attended, the payments will be made to your bank or building society account fortnightly.
When to Apply
Your application form should be returned as soon as possible before the start of the academic year. An academic year runs from 1 September until 31 August.
For courses running between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, application forms must be received by 31 March 2008 at the very latest.
If you applied after the start of your September term, back dated payments can sometimes be made:
- If your application was received by 31October 2007 you may get any payments due to you since the start of the term. (Please Note, applications received after this date will mean you will only start getting payments the first full week after we get your form).
For how to apply, look at How can I get it?
For courses running between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, application forms should be sent back to us within 8 weeks of starting your course, but must be returned by 31 August 2009, at the very latest. If you apply after the first 8 weeks you may lose out on back dated payments. Forms will be available here or from your school or college in the springtime.
Learning Agreement
If you are accepted for EMA, once you start your course, you must sign a Learning Agreement with someone from your school or college. This Learning Agreement covers all attendance and performance rules set out by your school or college which you must meet in order to receive your weekly allowance and bonuses.
Bonus Payments
There are two kinds of bonuses, you could get.
If you achieve your learning objectives you will get performance bonus payments, these will normally be paid in January and July, once your school or college confirm you meet the conditions.
If you got EMA last year, return to school or college for a second or third year and and still qualify for EMA, you could get a further returner bonus.
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