EMA is cash in your hands to help you carry on learning.  If you're 16, 17 or 18 and have left, or are about to leave, compulsory education, then it could be for you.

EMA comes in weekly payments of £10, £20 or £30 which go directly into your bank account.  However, you will only get your money if you regularly attend and work hard on your course.

You need to be enrolled on a course in England which is either:

• a full-time further education course at a college or school;
• an LSC-funded Diploma (where available) or a course that leads to an Apprenticeship;
• an LSC-funded Entry to Employment (e2e) course (if your e2e course starts on or after 30 June 2008, you'll get the maximum £30 weekly EMA payment, regardless of your household income).

Full details can be found on the EMA website: