EU nationals and migrants also entitled to apply for govt EMA benefit

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Teenagers are being urged to continue into further education, as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) today reminds young learners about the financial benefits of learning.

Any 16-18 year old within the UK whose parental income does not exceed £30,810 a year is entitled to receive the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), which offers weekly payments of up to £30, rewarding good attendance and commitment.

And this week EMA ambassadors spanning the nation, themselves students already in further education, will be spreading the news to potential school-leavers, to ensure that those hopeful to continue their learning will not be disparaged by financial constraints.

“Like many young people, I was worried that I wouldn”t be able to afford to carry on in learning after I left school”, explains Laura Anderson, one of the ambassadors based in Yorkshire. “However, thanks to EMA it’s easier than I imagined to make ends meet and I am able to really enjoy my course”.

“Anybody who is considering leaving education this summer should check out the EMA website to see if they”re eligible. They can then start to consider what’s best for themselves and their future, without having to worry about money”, she added.

In a statement released this morning, the LSC were keen to put straight the myths surrounding the EMA and its application, citing that entitlement and receipt of the allowance would not affect any other benefits already collected by the household. Furthermore, the EMA could be awarded alongside a part-time job the student may have, and in some work-based learning programmes also.

Of note, is the fact that these payments can also apply to those students sitting for GCSE retakes, while the scope of the benefit covers EU migrants who have been settled in the UK for three years, but also to EU nationals resident in the European Economic Area (EEA), those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK and refugees.

For more information, click here.

Vijay Pattni.

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