Highlanders Aged 16 to 19 In Education - Applications now being accepted for Education Maintenance Allowance for the new academic year

12th June 2023

All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August 2023.

The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools. Colleges administer this scheme for their students.

During 2022/23, around 500 young people across Highland secondary schools benefited from approximately £430,000 from this Allowance, which provides an incentive for young people aged 16-19 from lower income families to continue with their post-16 education, either in school or college. Eligibility for the scheme is based upon the total taxable household income for 2021/22:

· up to £24,421 taxable income for households with 1 dependant child

· up to £26,884 taxable income for households with 2 or more dependant children.

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. Applications are now being accepted for the 2023/24 academic year from Highland school pupils in post-16 education.

Further information about Education Maintenance Allowance, including full eligibility criteria, is available on the Highland Council's website at www.highland.gov.uk/ema (external link)

Chairman of the Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson said: "This weekly term-time allowance is paid directly into the student’s bank account and supports their access to education and whatever learning pathways they wish to choose. I am encouraging all young people from across the Highland Council area who are eligible to apply, to do so as quickly as possible. This will ensure they do not miss out on £30.00 every week, during each of the school terms, from August. The Council continues to work hard to raise awareness about the financial support that is available to eligible households."

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