Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
EMA is a weekly allowance of £30 which you may be able to get if you are:
- aged 16 to 19
- attend a Falkirk school (or attend Home Education), or
- work under an Activity Agreement
If you attend Forth Valley College, you'll need to contact them to apply.
You'll need to meet the terms of your Learning Agreement, and will usually only get EMA for a week where you have 100% attendance.
Check if you are eligible by visiting the EMA Scotland website.
How to apply
You can apply below.
Make sure you read the guidance carefully and provide all the information that is asked, including any supporting evidence. If you're having any problems or need some help you can contact the team.
Please Note: You will need to complete the application with your parent/carer present as some of the questions relate to their circumstances, and they need to sign the declaration.
Deadlines
The cut off for all applications is 31 March of the relevant school year. No applications will be accepted after that time.
| Your age | Application date | Payment start date |
|---|---|---|
| 16-19 on or before 30 September | Apply on or before 30 September | Payments start from beginning of August term |
| Apply after 30 September | Payments start the week we receive your application | |
| Turn 16 between 01 October and 28 February | Apply on or before 28 February | Payments start from beginning of January term |
| Apply after 28 February | Payments start the week we receive your application |
If you are applying under an Activity Agreement, this is different. Contact us for further information.
Payment timetable
Payment dates may be subject to change on rare occasions.
Any queries regarding your payments should be directed to your school in the first instance.
Payments are made fortnightly.
You will not be paid EMA when the schools are on holiday for more than 2 days in one week - payable weeks must have 3 school days. Therefore there will be no payment for the October, Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays.
Staff development days do not affect EMA.
| Payment date | Attendance period | Amount paid |
|---|---|---|
| 23 August 2025 | 13 August - 15 August 2025 | £30.00 |
| 05 September 2025 | 18 August - 29 August 2025 | £60.00 |
| 19 September 2025 | 01 September - 12 September 2025 | £60.00 |
| 03 October 2025 | 15 September - 26 September 2025 | £60.00 |
| 17 October 2025 | 29 September - 10 October 2025 | £60.00 |
| 14 November 2025 | 27 October - 07 November 2025 | £60.00 |
| 28 November 2025 | 10 November - 21 November 2025 | £60.00 |
| 12 December 2025 | 24 November - 05 December 2025 | £60.00 |
| 29 December 2025 | 08 December - 19 December 2025 | £60.00 |
| 23 January 2026 | 05 January - 16 January 2026 | £60.00 |
| 06 February 2026 | 19 January - 30 January 2026 | £60.00 |
| 20 February 2026 | 02 February - 13 February 2026 | £60.00 |
| 06 March 2026 | 16 February - 27 February 2026 | £60.00 |
| 20 March 2026 | 02 March - 13 March 2026 | £60.00 |
| 07 April 2026 | 16 March - 27 March 2026 | £60.00 |
| 17 April 2026 | 30 March - 03 April 2026 | £30.00 |
| 01 May 2026 | 20 April - 24 April 2026 | £30.00 |
| 15 May 2026 | 27 April - 08 May 2026 | £60.00 |
| 29 May 2026 | 11 May - 22 May 2026 | £60.00 |
| 12 June 2026 | 25 May - 05 June 2026 | £60.00 |
| 26 June 2026 | 08 June - 19 June 2026 | £60.00 |
| 10 July 2026 | 22 June - 26 June 2026 | £30.00 |
Additional information
Further information about EMA can be found on our frequently asked questions page. This contains a variety of information regarding applications, payments and more. However, if you can't find the information you're looking for you can contact the team.