Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Northern Ireland 2026/27: £30 a week

At a glance

Run by

nidirect (Department for the Economy) and Student Finance NI

Who it’s for

Students studying in Northern Ireland who will be 16, 17, 18 or 19 on or between 2 July 2025 and 1 July 2026, studying full-time at school or at least 15 hours per week at a further education college, with household income of £20,500 or less (only young person) or £22,500 or less (with another qualifying young person)^[1][2]

Entry

Students apply themselves

Worth

£30 per week, paid directly into your bank account every 2 weeks (based on attendance), plus bonus payments of £100 in January and June (based on performance).^[3][4]

Cost

Not stated

Year groups

Year 12, Year 13

Where

Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland)

Format

In person

Funding

Bursaries or funding available