This dataset can be found in:

Cumulative monthly applications for Education Maintenance Allowance by academic year and workstage

Next update expected:29 January 2026

Updates

• 23rd April 2026:

  March 2026 data

• 26th March 2026:

  February 2026 data

• 26th February 2026:

  January 2026 data

• 29th January 2026:

  December 2025 data

• 18th December 2025: Dataset first published.

Main information

• Designation: Accredited official statistics
• Data provider: Student Loans Company
• Data source: Administrative data
• Time period covered: September 2004 to August 2026

Overview

• Summary of dataset and variables:

  This table presents the number of applications for Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs), to date in the current academic year.

  The data are based on applications received as at the end of each calendar month.

  The EMA scheme is designed as an incentive for students from lower-income families to remain in full-time education after the age at which compulsory schooling ends. The EMA is a weekly allowance, paid fortnightly to students.

  From academic year 2011/12, students new to EMA could only qualify for an award of £30 per week and since April 2023 it is now £40 per week, depending on household income and family circumstances. Students who received EMA in 2010/11 who returned to education and met the same eligibility criteria as for 2010/11 continued getting their EMA at £10, £20 or £30 per week.

  The work stage denotes the status of the application when data were extracted by the Student Loans Company. Incomplete application includes applications that are missing information (e.g. no date of birth included) or missing evidence (e.g. no birth certificate attached). Other includes applications that are in one of the following work stages: assessed, awaiting rejection, data capture incomplete, failed assessment, validated, verified (as defined by the Student Loans Company).

• Data collection or calculation:

  Data seen here are taken from the SLC's official data warehouse as at the end of each calendar month and are based on the same definitions used for the annual Statistical Bulletin.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Due to rounding the sums of some rows or columns may not add to the total figure given.

• Statistical quality:

  StatsWales figures are updated monthly and are correct at time of publication. They are subject to revisions following further SLC processing, for example due to applications being reclassified from EMA to 'Pathways to Apprenticeships' or vice versa.

  You may observe a drop in the reported number of approved EMA applications between March and April in some years. This is due to the annual exercise carried out by SLC to sample check a proportion of those returning EMA applicants who have chosen to self certify their income. SLC will assess the application against the applicant's previous year's income evidence. If the applicant later fails to provide evidence of household income (if requested), they will be assumed to no longer be eligible for support.

  EMAs were introduced for 16 year olds in the 2004/05 academic year with the scheme extended to 17 year olds in 2005/06 and 18 year olds in 2006/07 (19 year olds are also eligible in certain circumstances and therefore would be included in figures from 2007/08 onwards).

• Rounding applied:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Due to rounding the sums of some rows or columns may not add to the total figure given.

• Related reports:
  • EMA annual statistical bulletin
  • Eligibility for EMA

Published by

• Organisation: Welsh Government
• Contact email: highereducationandstudentfinance.stats@gov.wales