More young people in Wales will be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) from September.
The Welsh Government forecasts that at least 1,500 more 16 to 18 year-olds will be able to claim the £40 a week allowance, following changes to eligibility in the next financial year.
The EMA helps young people pay for costs such as travel, meals, and study materials. It is designed to remove financial barriers to enable young people to continue their education. Currently over 18,000 students in Wales receive EMA.
From September 2026, income thresholds for households with one dependent will rise from £23,400 to £24,570, and from £25,974 to £27,273 for households with two or more dependents.
Applications for EMA open the 27 April 2026.
Learners can check their eligibility and apply on the Student Finance Wales website, or speak to their school or college for help with their application.
Whether you’re looking to help your employees learn new skills that will benefit your business or want to inject new talent into your team, there are many Welsh Government programmes available through Business Wales that can support your skills, training and recruitment needs: We’re in Your Corner | Business Wales.