Education Maintenance Allowance
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helps to cover the costs related to your child’s schooling. The EMA provides families on a low income with financial assistance to support their child’s education up to the age of 16.
The allowance is paid in two instalments throughout the year; the first instalment from March onwards and the second instalment from August onwards. Half of the payment is paid to the school and half to the parent or guardian.
You need to submit your EMA application to your child’s school by 28 February 2011, in time for the first instalment, or by 5 August 2011 for the second instalment. Application forms are available from your child's school.
If you submitted an application form for the first instalment, and your child has not changed schools since then, you do not need to complete another application form for the second instalment payment.
Parents have the option to have their EMA instalments paid by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) directly into your bank account. You can select this option when filling in your application form.
The EFT payment option has been introduced to offer you a faster and more convenient option for receiving your EMA payment. Choosing the EFT option means that you will receive your payment approximately two weeks sooner than if you choose the cheque payment option.
Further information
- Eligibility – find out if your family is eligible to receive the EMA
- Payment Amounts – information on how, when and how much you will be paid and the EFT payment option
- Frequently Asked Questions