Children, Schools and Families written question – answered at on 10 June 2009.
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make it his policy to extend eligibility for the education maintenance allowance in the 2009-10 financial year to children from households with a projected annual income of less than £30,810; and if he will make a statement.
For most young people, eligibility for education maintenance allowance (EMA) is subject to an assessment of their household income based on the financial year prior to the academic year in which they start their course. The assessment will be based on evidence of that income. The upper threshold to qualify for EMA is £30,810. If they meet other eligibility criteria such as being a young person aged 16 to 18 and on a relevant course, and residency requirements, applicants will qualify for EMA if the income evidence supports that.
A successful assessment provides a young person with a guaranteed entitlement of up to three years of EMA on the same rate, plus a guaranteed minimum level of non-repayable student support should they progress into higher education within three years. It is appropriate that such guarantees for long term support for those who need it are provided on the basis of evidence rather than conjecture.
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