Education Maintenance Allowances 2017-18

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published statistics on Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA) in the academic year 2017-18. EMA provides financial support for young people aged 16 to 19 years from low-income households to overcome financial barriers to participate in school or college courses, or in an activity agreement.

Key findings include:

• 29,135 school pupils, college students and individuals on activity agreements received EMA payments in Scotland in the academic year 2017-18, a decrease of 8.0% (-2,540) from 31,675 in 2016-17.
• School pupils accounted for 64.2% of young people in receipt of EMA payment. 31.3% were college students and the remaining 4.5% were young people on activity agreements.
• Of all 16-19 year old school pupils in Scotland, 27% received EMA payments in 2017 18.
• Of the potentially eligible 16-19 year old college students in Scotland, 31% received EMA payments in 2017-18.
• The proportion of EMA recipients living in Scotland’s 20% most deprived areas in 2017 18 increased to 37.2% (10,810). For school pupils receiving EMA, 34.2% (6,390) were living in the 20% most deprived areas. For colleges this was 41.9% (3,800) and for young people on activity agreements this was 47.9% (620).
• The total amount spent on EMA payments in 2017-18 was £23.0 million, a decrease of around £1.7 million from £24.6 million in 2016-17. Of this, £15.7 million (68.4%) was paid out to school pupils, £6.6 million (28.7%) to college students, and the remaining £0.7 million (2.9%) to young people on activity agreements.

Background
This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

The full National Statistics publication can be accessed here.

Additional information on Education Maintenance Allowances in Scotland can be found at EMA Scotland.