The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides assistance to low-income families by helping with the costs associated with the education of their children.
EMA applications are made by parents and guardians and submitted to schools. Schools have the responsibility to enter all EMA applications onto the EMA web system by the application closing date, see: EMA Web System
From 2009, parents will have the option of receiving the 50 per cent parent portion of their EMA by either:
or
The 2009 EMA application form will include a section for parents to indicate whether they wish to receive their EMA payment by EFT directly into their nominated bank account or by cheque payment.
The school’s EMA coordinator will then be required to make a simple entry of these bank account details into the modified EMA web system.
Parents choosing the cheque payment option will receive their payment via a cheque which will be mailed to the school - which is the existing arrangement.
The introduction of the option of EFT payments to parents is expected to save schools time, alleviate paperwork and help reduce the administrative burden associated with the distribution and follow up of cheques.
Please note: there will be no change to the percentage of the EMA that goes directly to schools, or the way in which the 50 per cent school portion is currently paid.
Government school administrators can find out more about the introduction of EMA EFT payments to parents in the following document, see: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 284Kb)
Non-Government school administrators can find out more about the introduction of EMA EFT payments to parents in the following document, see: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF - 282Kb)
Schools are responsible for communicating the availability of the EMA to eligible families. To support schools with publicising the EMA a letter from the Minister for Education, a draft item for school newsletters and an EMA website for parents have been made available.
Schools are requested to give a copy of a letter from the Minister for Education, which provides all the relevant information about the EMA, to eligible parents and guardians, see: Parent Letter and Sample Newsletter Articles.
For EMA information directed at parents and guardians, see Education Maintenance Allowance.
Please ensure all students attached to EMA applications will be enrolled at the school on Census Day (27 February 2009) and that parents are aware of this requirement. This will avoid the need for payment reconciliation between schools.
Please note: students of families on a Bridging Visa (refugee status) - enrolled in schools fee exempt - can apply for the EMA under the special consideration category. A letter of support is needed from an appropriate welfare agency, such as the Australian Red Cross, to verify their situation.
For more information, see: Policy Statement - Families holding a Temporary Visa or a Bridging Visa (Refugee Status) (PDF).
For further details about EMA see the following pages:
Further assistance is available by phoning the Department Service Desk on 1800 641 943 select “option 3” and then select “option 6” or email your query to servicedesk@edumail.vic.gov.au.