**Welsh Teenagers Encouraged to Check £40-a-Week Financial Support Eligibility**
Teenagers across Wales are being strongly encouraged to check whether they are eligible to receive up to £40 per week from the Welsh Government, as applications open for the latest round of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The WelshGovernment has widened the criteria for support in the 2025-26 academic year, allowing thousands more 16 to 18-year-olds to access financial assistance to help with education-related costs.
The EMA is a means-tested payment for young people who wish to remain in education after reaching school-leaving age. Eligible students aged 16 to 18 can now receive £40 each week, provided they continue their studies at a participating school or college. The payments are intended to ease financial pressure on families by assisting with the cost of transport, meals, study materials, and other necessities associated with further education.
Notably, the scheme remains unique and generous compared to the rest of the UK. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the weekly allowance stands at £30, while England stopped offering this funding altogether in 2011. The Welsh Government’s decision to raise the income thresholds means the initiative could reach thousands of additional students who might have otherwise been excluded.
The updated eligibility criteria now include households with one dependent child and a total income not exceeding £23,400, and households with two or more dependent children earning up to £25,974. These changes are expected to increase the overall number of recipients, with over 3,500 extra students likely to benefit alongside the current 16,000 already receiving support.
To qualify for EMA, all applicants should be UK nationals, Irish citizens, or hold settled status and must reside in Wales at the beginning of their course’s academic year. They are also required to have lived in the UK or its islands for three years prior to starting their course. However, there may be some exceptions: individuals whose circumstances do not exactly fit these criteria are advised to consult the Welsh Government’s Nationality and Residency guidance.
The EMA is available to students undertaking a wide range of academic and vocational courses, including GCSEs, A-Levels, BTEC qualifications, NVQs, basic skills, and independent living skills, as well as specific preparation courses for those studying in England. There is, however, an important caveat: the EMA is not available to young people who are paid through a publicly funded work-based learning programme, such as an apprenticeship.
Further technical requirements are also in force, depending on where the student studies. Those enrolled in schools must be engaged in full-time education, while college students must clock at least 12 guided hours of study each week across a minimum 10-week period.
Welsh Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, commented on the significance of the scheme, stating, “EMA is a vital support system that helps young people continue their education without financial barriers.” She further noted that many learners have described the profound positive impact EMA has had on their academic journeys, assisting with the everyday costs of study.
Howells also stressed the importance of checking eligibility, even for those previously ineligible, now that the criteria have been broadened. The Welsh Government urges both new applicants and those currently receiving EMA to review their status and submit their applications online, or seek assistance from their school or college if required.
As cost-of-living challenges persist, the EMA scheme stands out as a cornerstone of support for Welsh students and families hoping to continue education beyond 16. With applications now open, the hope is that all those who qualify will take advantage of this increased support as the new school year approaches.