Education Maintenance Allowance - FAQs

Yes, there's a requirement for pupils to complete a new application form each year.

We have, in line with other Local Authorities, opted to use the MyGovScot, ‘MyAccount’. If you don’t already have a ‘MyAccount’, you’ll need to sign up for one before you can apply. You’ll be taken to the sign-up or login screen when you start your EMA application. This makes the process more efficient and lets you use different online public sector services with one username and password.

You need to complete a new application for each academic year. No applications can usually be made after 31st March each year until the application process is re-opened, normally around the end of June.

You need to apply directly to your college. You should speak to the college admin department for further information.

The EMA process is now fully digital and we no longer have paper forms. If you don't have access to the internet at home, our libraries have PCs which can be used for this purpose. Your school will also allow you to use a PC to do this.

Don’t worry! If all your other details are correct, we can find this on the EMA system.

This will be detailed on a checklist when you are submitting your online application.

There are various ways of doing this:

• Upload the information when you are submitting your application using the upload button
• Scan or photograph your documents and email to ema@fife.gov.uk
• Hand it in to a Fife Council Local Office
• Post it to EMA Team, PO BOX 18015, Bankhead Central, Glenrothes, KY7 6GH. If you choose to post your original documents, please bear in mind this will be at your own risk

The only evidence we need is proof that you are looked after by a foster parent. You can get this from the Social Work department. We don’t need to see proof of your foster parent’s income. You should tell us the name of your Social Work contact on your application, in case we need to contact them.

Dependant children are all those up to the age of 16, and those over the age of 16 and up to the age of 25 if they are in full time or higher education courses and are still being supported by a parent or carer.

If there is a significant change in financial circumstances within the household, you may be eligible to apply for an in-year reassessment during the current academic year.

This is possible where income for the current financial year has fallen from over £24,421 or £26,884 to within the EMA thresholds. Any award made will be classed as provisional.

If your form has been submitted successfully, you will get a message on screen confirming this. You’ll also receive an email  confirming we have received it.

If your claim's been processed, we'll write to you detailing your next steps which will include asking you to complete a learning agreement. We will try to get all claims processed before the first payment date in September. After this date, you should receive notification from us within two weeks of submitting your application. If you don’t, please let us know by emailing ema@fife.gov.uk.

A list of payment dates for the coming school year will be included in the letter we send you with your Learning Agreement. If you no longer have this, you can access the payment timetable on the EMA payment dates page.

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In the first instance, you should contact the school to make sure they've confirmed your attendance on the EMA system. If the school confirms you should have been paid, please email ema@fife.gov.uk to let us know.