Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) From August 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Please read BEFORE starting your application.

How do I apply?

You can apply online using the link under the Other Websites section. If for any reason you are unable to complete the application online, please contact Education Services.

A paper application can be requested if you are unable to complete it online. If returning by post, we recommend you use Royal Mail Recorded Delivery to allow you to trace the package and ensure the safety of your documents. Original documentation will also be returned to you by Recorded Delivery. Inverclyde Council cannot accept responsibility for lost or undelivered items of mail.

What is a Learning Agreement?

A Learning Agreement is an agreement between the young person and their school. It sets out what is expected in terms of attendance, conduct and progress.
The young person completes the learning agreement as part of the application form.
Payment will be stopped by the school if a pupil does not comply with the conditions of the Learning Agreement.
It is a live document which will be reviewed during the academic year. A minimum of 21 hours guided study must be undertaken. If the total number of hours fall below 21 in a week, at any point during the year your payment will be stopped and you will no longer be entitled to EMA.
The school will monitor each individual pupil’s Learning Agreement and advise the Council if the conditions of the agreement are not met.
A new application and Learning Agreement must be completed for each academic year.

What conditions do I need to meet once my application has been approved?

You must maintain 100% attendance at school
You must maintain acceptable levels of behaviour.
You must be prepared for your classes
You must arrive on time.

How EMA can be used

EMA is designed to support young people to stay on at school once they have reached the age to leave compulsory education. The payment is intended to help meet the costs of study and to encourage the young person to continue with their education.

Payment of EMA

Payments will start only after your application has been approved and your school has confirmed that you are studying for 21 guided hours.
Payment is made in a 2 weekly schedule. A copy of the schedule will be provided once your application has been approved. A copy is also available in the Documents section of this website.
Payment is made directly into the young person’s bank account which must be capable of receiving BACS payments. Should you need advice on setting up an account, please contact the bank of your choice.
If you have not received payments that you are expecting you should contact your school before contacting Education Services.
Payments are not made during short term-time holidays, which include the October week, Christmas and Spring break. Please refer to the EMA handbook you will be sent once your application has been approved, for exact dates affected.
If a pupil goes on holiday during term-time, they will not receive EMA for the period they are away from school.
If you have followed the conditions of the EMA award prior to study leave starting, you will be considered for payment during the SQA exam timetable. At the end of the SQA exam timetable, S6 pupils will no longer be entitled to payments.

Effects on other benefits

EMA is currently paid over and above Child Benefit and other benefits.

Changing subjects and/or changing school within Inverclyde during the academic year

This will not affect your entitlement to EMA provided you renew your Learning Agreement with your new school and you continue to complete 21 hours of guided study each week.

EMA contacts

If you require support to make the application or have a question that is not been covered on this site, please contact us on 01475 712850 - option 2 or EMA.HO@inverclyde.gov.uk, during the hours shown below:-