E.M.A - Education Maintenance Allowance (Student Loans Co.)

Member Name: Tcraze84

Product:	Student Loans Co.
Date:	22/12/00 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good idea, can make saving easier.

Disadvantages: Inconsistent, not enough money!

EMA is a new concept for many students studying at full-time college education. Luckily, I live in one of the first areas that it is tested out on, so I get to benefit.

Basically, if you are in full time college education, the student will be awarded a set amount of money deposited into their account in 2 week arrears. Depending on parent's income, a student may be awarded from £10 (I think) to the full £30 a week.

EMA may only be awarded however, if a student has attended 100% of lessons that week, so it often feels like a bribe to turn up to class after a night out, for example! Depending on how cool your lecturer is, of course!

So far, though I have had many problems with this EMA business. My college has still not got an efficient register system and so, for two weeks, I missed out - a total of almost £60 for me, even though I turned up to each class, but the lecturer did not mark me in. I complained of course, but as the forms had already been submitted to the council, I just had to make do with a loss of £60 in the run-up to Christmas.

However, since then I have made sure I have been checked in each lecture and have had no problems since.

If a student attends 90% of lessons each term, then a £50 bonus has been promised to be paid to them - whether or not they have lived up to this is uncertain - I'll check my account tomorrow! Although whether my fictitous absences puts my attendance below 90% is unknown - I hope not!

I'm not sure that a maximum of £30 a week is enough though. We have to constantly buy stationery and text books, as well as pay for bus fares, etc. And surely the authorities don't expect us to spend ALL the money on education?

Students have a reputation to live up to, you know! LOL

Summary: