Scottish Government

Key Findings

Scotland's Chief Statistician today published statistics on Education Maintenance Allowances ( EMAs) in the academic year 2008-09. This release contains information on all students at school or at a college in Scotland who received at least one payment under the EMA scheme. This is the second year of full roll out of EMAs.

Key Findings

• 39,000 school pupils and college students received EMA payments in Scotland in the academic year 2008-09. 54% of recipients were female and 46% were male. 63% attended school and the remaining 37% attended a college.
• 40% of all 16 year olds in Scotland received an EMA payment in 2008-09.
• 39% of all 16-19 year old school pupils in Scotland received EMA support in the academic year 2008-09.
• Most EMA participants (81%) were supported in the maximum £30 a week category. College students were more likely to be supported in this category than those in school: 84% of college students had a payment level of £30 compared with 79% of school pupils.
• £35.4 million was paid out under the EMA scheme in the academic year 2008-09: £27.5 million in weekly payments and £7.9 million in bonus payments.
• Young people from the 15 per cent most deprived areas in Scotland are more likely to be in the EMA scheme than those outwith; 16 per cent of 16-19 year olds in deprived areas received EMA payments throughout the year in 2008-09, compared to 10 per cent of 16-19 year olds in non-deprived areas.
• The total number of young people in receipt of EMA has increased by 4% (or 1,520) from 37,480 in 2006-07 to 39,000 by 2008-09.
• The amount paid out through the EMA scheme has increased by 9 per cent (or £3.0 million) from £32.4 million in 2006-07 to £35.4 million by 2008-09.
• 68% of those who were on the EMA scheme for the full academic year and were therefore eligible for both the January and the June bonus payments, received both bonuses. This has increased from 60% of those on the EMA scheme in 2006-07.