Am I eligible for EMA?
You can claim EMA if you:
- have lived in the United Kingdom for three years prior to the EMA qualifying date and are resident in Scotland on that date. Other residency rules also apply.
- are 16 years old or over before 30 September, you may be eligible from the beginning of the school term in August
- or if you are 16 years old between 1 October and 29 February, you may eligible from 8 January 2024.
- live in the Scottish Borders Authority and attend:
- secondary school
- home educated
- non-advance course at a college in a neighbouring authority that is not in Scotland and does not attract any other form of public or employer bursary
- Stage 1 No-one-left-behind (NOLB)
- school or a non-advance course at college or are home educated for 100 percent of your agreed timetabled hours including study periods as stated on your approved learning agreement. For Stage 1 No-one-left-behind (NOLB) scheme.
- you must participate fully in your agreed activity each week
- household income for the tax year ended 5 April 2023 is less than:
- £24,421 if there is one child in education
- £26,884 if there are two or more children in education