If you are 16 to 19 years old, in a school or college, and come from a low income household you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from an Educational Maintenance Allowance.

EMA is a weekly allowance of £30 per week payable during term time.

To be eligible, your family household income must be less than:

• £24,421- for households with 1 dependant child
• £26,884 - for households with 2 or more dependant children

You must have a current signed learning agreement and you must adhere to the conditions of the learning agreement.

A new learning agreement has to be completed each academic year, and if you don't comply with your learning agreement, the allowance could be taken away.

Young adults attending college or university should apply direct to the college or university. For further information about EMA for young adults attending college or university, please contact the college or university direct.

This weekly term time allowance is paid directly into the young person’s bank account and does not affect the child benefit or other benefits being paid to their parents or carers.

The Council’s Welfare Support Team can complete the online application form with the young person and in the wider context, can support all eligible households to apply for benefits and other entitlements.

The Welfare Support Team can be contacted by telephoning 0800 090 1004 or emailing welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

Further information on full eligibility criteria and the online application process can be obtained here

Learning Agreements can be collected from the main office or downloaded from the Highland Council website.  Completed forms should be returned to Mr McDonald, Depute Rector, for processing.

Details on how to apply