Bursary and Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Eligible courses: Full Time Further Education Courses up to SCQF Level 6
Our Student Funding Team have put together a series of helpful FAQ’s on Bursaries and the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to help you with your applications.
All students who have been offered a place on a course will be sent a link to apply for their funding online.
Please ensure your email address is your own (not shared) and up to date as this is how we will communicate with you.
FE Bursary – Parentally Supported Student:
You may be eligible if you are a full time further education student between 18 – 24 years of age. To qualify you must be
- 18 – 24 years at the start date of the course
- Not living with a partner
- Have no dependent children
- Not been financially self supporting for 3 years
Maximum weekly Bursary £85.90 means-tested.
| Bursary Application Assessment | May be eligible for | Information required | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age between 18 and 24 parentally supported student Residency and previous study rules apply | Fees paid, Travel costs , Study costs, Additional support needs allowance, Dependant allowance, Maximum weekly bursary award £85.90 | Personal details, Residency, Education, Student’s income, Household income, Bank details, Travel details | Birth certificate or passport, Parent(s) P60(s), or benefit letters or Self Assessment Tax Return Proof of student’s income Council Tax notice Tax Credit Award Notice Sibling(s) birth certificate(s) |
| Student also has own tenancy agreement | Possible additional weekly bursary of £22.65 – no award will exceed £108.55 per week | As above plus own accommodation details | Student’s tenancy agreement in own name |
FE Bursary – Independent Student
You may be eligible if you are in full time further education and 25+ years old or independent at the start of your course. To qualify you must be
- Single and aged 25 or over or
- Under 25 and either
– Financially self supporting for 3 years or
– Have dependent child or
– Married / civil partnership / living with partner
Maximum weekly bursary £125.55 means-tested.
| Bursary Application Assessment | May be eligible for | Information required | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Student Residency and previous study rules | Fees paid Travel costs Study costs Additional support needs allowance Dependent allowance Maximum weekly bursary award £108.55 | Personal details Residency Education Proof of student’s income Proof of partner’s income (if applicable) Bank details Travel details | Birth certificate or passport Proof of income (3 full years’ evidence required if single and aged under 25) Partner’s income details, eg P60, benefit letter, Self Assessment Tax Return Council Tax notice Tax Credit Award Notice/Universal Credit statement (if applicable) Child’s birth certificate or passport (if applicable) |
FE Bursary – Care Experienced Student
This is a non means tested award available to any student who has at any time been looked after by a local authority in the UK.
Qualifying students must have reached their statutory school leaving date, there is no upper age limit. You will be expected to provide proof of your period of care from the relevant local authority. You must also provide evidence of any benefit entitlement which may be affected when determining eligibility for this award.
Examples of Care Provision which may qualify you for this award
- Foster Care.
- Kinship Care.
- Residential Care.
- Compulsory Supervision Order with no condition of residence
(Looked after at home)
(Previously known as a Supervision Requirement). - Compulsory Supervision Order with a condition of residence
(Looked after away from home)
(Previously known as a Supervision Requirement). - Permanence Order
Maximum weekly bursary £225 non means-tested.
| Care Experienced Bursary Application Assessment: | May be eligible for | Information required | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Experience evidence submitted Residency and previous study rules apply | Fees paid Travel costs Study costs Additional support needs allowance Maximum weekly bursary award £225 | Personal details Residency Education Student’s income Bank details Travel details Proof of Care Experienced status | Birth certificate or passport Social Work Letter or alternative form of evidence Proof of benefits to ensure optimum award |
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
You may be eligible if you are in full time further education and 16 or 17 years of age.
- Under 18 years at the start date of the course
- Living with parents or legal guardians
- Have no dependent children
EMA weekly payment is £49.91, means-tested as shown:
1 child: £0 – £24,421
2+ children: £0 – £26,884
| EMA Application Assessment | May be eligible for | Information required | Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parental income less than £24,421 (households with 1 child), or £26,884 (households with 2 or more children). Residency rules apply. | Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) £30 per week Tuition fees Travel costs Study costs (course materials) Additional support needs allowance | Personal details Residency Household income Education Bank details Travel details | Birth certificate or passport |
| No parental income declared Or household income is more than £24,421 (households with 1 child), or household income is more than £26,884 (households with 2 or more children). Residency rules apply. | NOT eligible for EMA weekly allowance but following elements will be considered: Tuition fees Travel costs Study costs (course materials) Additional support needs allowance | Personal details Residency Education Travel details | Birth certificate or passport |
| EMA Away from Home Allowance | Possible additional weekly payment maximum £49.91 | As above plus own accommodation details | Student’s tenancy agreement in own name |
How to apply
You will be sent an email link once you have been offered a place on a course. If you need any help or advice please contact a Student Adviser.
