a great system if it isnt abused (Education Maintence Allowance's (EMA))

Member Name: barbie84

Product:	Education Maintence Allowance's (EMA)
Date:	02/08/09 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: helps students

Disadvantages: can be abused

EMA was introduced around ten years ago now by the labour goverment as an incentive to get more school leavers to continue with there education by way of a financial reward for them continuing there education.

I have both likes and dislikes of the EMA system, firstly i think it is a good support for students who wanted to continue into further education and is very helpful to them to help support them financially but on the other hand the students who abuse this by taking silly courses at college so that they an claim this money and then never actually do anything with the knowledge they have gained irritate me to death so in a way i think it is a bad system that can be so easily abused.

This system pays students who attend education regularly and complete there work up to £30 a week, it is paid directly to you not your parents or the colege so offers a little independance.

To qualify for EMA money you need to be over 16 and under 19 and be in full time education but not compulsary education so you can only claim this once you have officially finished year 11 at school and enrolled to continue your education and have a family income of less than £30,000 a year which makes most students eligiable for this money.

I do think that it is a bit unfair that your house hold income comes into play with this, i understand that it means the poorer familys get more support but just because your parents earn more doesnt necesarily mean that you need this money any less nor does it mean they are going to financially support you once you have left school, i think this should be available to every young person in full time further education.

Summary: a good system but could be abused