More post-16 students in Wales have now become eligible for a £40 weekly payment to help with their studying costs
Applications are open for teenagers in Wales to apply for a £40 a week payment while they study. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for 2025-26 are now open and thousands more 16 to 18 -year-olds can get it. The Welsh Government made more teenagers eligible for the EMA in Wales earlier this year and is advising people to check whether they can get the payment.
EMA gives eligible learners aged 16 to 18 £40 per week to help with education related costs such as transport, meals, and learning materials.
It is a payment for 16 to 18-year-olds living in Wales, who want to continue their education after school leaving age.
EMA is retained at a lower rate of £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland and was ended in England in 2011. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Now thousands more teenagers are estimated to be eligible for the payment with income thresholds raised after the Welsh Government widened the criteria.
Currently over 16,000 students receive EMA but starting from the new academic year in September an estimated 3,500 more learners will benefit from the uplift.
The new eligibility rules for £40 a week EMA payments in Wales
- Households with one dependent child are now eligible if their income is £23,400 or less.
- Households with two or more dependent children are now eligible if their income is £25,974 or less.
Teenagers can apply if all of the following apply:
- You’re a UK national, Irish Citizen or have settled status
- You’ll be living in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of your course
- You’ve been living in the UK and Islands for three years before starting your course
If these do not apply to you, you may still be eligible to apply for EMA if you’re living in Wales. See the Welsh Government’s Nationality and Residency guide for more information.
Although you don’t have to study in Wales to get EMA, you must be studying at a school or college involved in the EMA scheme. Your course should be an academic or vocational course, up to and including Level 3. Examples of such courses are:
- GCSEs
- AS-Levels or A-Levels
- BTEC, GNVQ, NVQ
- Basic skills courses
- Independent Living Skills courses or, if studying in England, Preparation for Adulthood
Schools or colleges can confirm if the course you want to do is eligible.
Teenagers will not be eligible for EMA if they’re receiving an allowance or similar, or being paid for a publicly funded work-based learning programme (such as an apprenticeship) in the UK.
If studying at school
- Your course must be full-time.
If studying at college
- You must be studying a minimum of 12 guided hours per week; and
- Your course must last at least 10 weeks.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells said: “EMA is a vital support system that helps young people continue their education without financial barriers.
“Learners have told me of the positive impact EMA has made to their educational journey by helping them with everyday costs.
“I was delighted to announce the extension of the eligibility range earlier this year ensuring more students have access to this support.
“I strongly encourage all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families to check if they’re eligible, even if they weren’t previously.”
New and continuing learners can check their eligibility and apply online here or speak to their school or college for help with applications.
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