Stage 3: EMA payment guide
Education Maintenance Allowance, funding for Further Education

EMA Payment Guide

Your payments will start once your school or college have told us:

  • you’ve signed your EMA agreement
  • you’re attending as agreed

We will not pay you EMA when you’re not attending your course. This includes during school and college holidays.

If you think you’re missing an EMA payment speak to your school or college.

To get EMA you should be attending school or college full time for at least 12 hours per week and studying an eligible course. Courses include Independent Living Skills or, if studying in England, Preparation for Adulthood. Your course must last at least 10 weeks.

The following table shows when EMA payments can be expected for your school and college attendance.

Attend during week(s) ending You'll be paid on
22 August 2026 - 29 August 2026 07 September 2026
05 September 2026 - 12 September 2026 21 September 2026
19 September 2026 - 26 September 2026 05 October 2026
03 October 2026 - 10 October 2026 19 October 2026
17 October 2026 - 24 October 2026 02 November 2026
31 October 2026 - 07 November 2026 16 November 2026
14 November 2026 - 21 November 2026 30 November 2026
28 November 2026 - 05 December 2026 14 December 2026
12 December 2026 - 19 December 2026 28 December 2026
26 December 2026 - 02 January 2027 11 January 2027
09 January 2027 - 16 January 2027 25 January 2027
23 January 2027 - 30 January 2027 08 February 2027
06 February 2027 - 13 February 2027 22 February 2027
20 February 2027 - 27 February 2027 08 March 2027
06 March 2027 - 13 March 2027 22 March 2027
20 March 2027 - 27 March 2027 05 April 2027
03 April 2027 - 10 April 2027 19 April 2027
17 April 2027 - 24 April 2027 03 May 2027
01 May 2027 - 08 May 2027 19 May 2027
15 May 2027 - 22 May 2027 31 May 2027
29 May 2027 - 05 June 2027 14 June 2027
12 June 2027 - 19 June 2027 28 June 2027
26 June 2027 - 03 July 2027 12 July 2027
10 July 2027 - 17 July 2027 26 July 2027
24 July 2027 - 31 July 2027 09 August 2027