Applications for Education Maintenance Allowance for the school session beginning in August 2025 can be submitted from 1st July 2025.
Please note that the cut-off date for processing applications for the academic year 2025/26 is 31st March 2026. No applications will be processed after this date.
Documents and information available on this page are intended for students attending a school in the ÂìÒϸ£Àûµ¼º½ and Bute Council area.
What is an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?
EMA is a weekly payment of £30, paid fortnightly in arrears for eligible students who are planning to continue in post-compulsory education. The allowance is payable fortnightly in arrears during term time. Payments will be made direct to the student’s account.
Who will be entitled to an EMA?
If you are 16 to 19 years old, and attend a school in ÂìÒϸ£Àûµ¼º½ and Bute, and come from a low household income you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
If you are 16 years of age or over before 30 September 2025 (Autumn Intake), you may be eligible for an EMA from the beginning of school term, if the application is submitted by 30 September 2025. If the application is received after this date the award will only start from the week it is received.
If you are 16 years of age between 1 October 2025 and 28 February 2026 (Winter Intake), you may be eligible for an EMA from January 2026, if the application is submitted by 28 February 2026. If the application is received after this date the award will only start from the week it is received.
The cut-off date for processing any applications for academic year 2025/26 is 31 March 2026. No applications will be processed after this date.
| Financial Criteria | Household income for tax year 2024/2025 |
|---|---|
| Young people from families with more than one child in full-time education | £0 - £26,884 |
| Young people from families with only one child in full-time education | £0 - £24,421 |
Further information
More information is available from your school or from –
EMA Department
91 Alexandra Parade
Dunoon
PA23 8AJ
Tel: 01369 708483
Email: ema@argyll-bute.gov.uk
