Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Scotland 2026/27

At a glance

Run by

Scottish councils (this page: City of Edinburgh Council)^[1][2]

Who it’s for

Young people aged 16 to 19 from lower income families staying in school or college in Scotland. Income limits are set by the council (Highland Council quotes up to £24,421 taxable household income with 1 dependant child and £26,884 with 2 or more).^[3]

Entry

Students apply themselves

Worth

£30 per week during term time, paid into the student's bank account every two weeks (City of Edinburgh Council schedule).^[4]

Cost

Not stated

Year groups

Year 12, Year 13

Where

Scotland (Scotland (apply to your local council or college))

Format

In person

Funding

Bursaries or funding available