Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Applications for EMA in 2025 to 2026 are now open.
16 to 18 year olds may be eligible for weekly payments of £40 to help with further education costs.
Payments are made every 2 weeks as long as you meet your school or college’s attendance requirements.
How to apply
You may be eligible to receive the EMA award if you:
- are above the compulsory school age
- will be 16, 17 or 18 years old on or before the 31 August
- usually live in Wales
- are studying an eligible full-time academic or vocational course
