Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Eligibility for EMA

Education Maintenance Allowance is a weekly payment of £30 to help support a student in education beyond the school leaving age of 16. 

Do you qualify for EMA?

• You qualify for an EMA for the 2025/26 school year if:

• your birthday is between 1 March 2006 and 28 February 2010

• you go to an East Renfrewshire school

• your study involves at least 21 hours of guided learning a week

• you sign a learning agreement with your school

• your household income is within the agreed government levels

Download an EMA application form (PDF, 124 KB)

Paper applications are available from school offices.

Completed applications can be posted to the Barrhead Main Street office or can be submitted with pictures of all relevant documents to the EMA team.

Click here for more information