From September 2004, around 450,000 young people could be benefiting from extra financial help to enable them to stay on in post-16 education. This guidance leaflet explains the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) that will be available to help eligible young people to continue their education.

The EMA is a weekly payment of up to £30, paid directly to young people who stay on in further education after the end of their compulsory schooling. Young people may also receive bonuses of £100 if they stay on their course and make good progress with their learning. Entitlement depends on an assessment of the household income.

Any young person thinking of staying on in further education and who lives in a house with an annual income of £30,000 or less should apply for an EMA. The leaflet explains how young people will apply and how the scheme affects the schools, colleges, LEAs, LSCs and the Connexions service.