College, EMA and New Jobs

[*Ashley*]

Never thought I would post in this forum - very unlike me!

Anywayyy

Here's my situation, I am in my 2nd year of a full time course at college. In my first year my mum and dad were working full time and earning wayyyy above the entry critera for EMA so I never got it. Now however my dad does not work at all and my mum is working urm less than 16 hours a week. My dad is self employed but has no actual set income, he takes jobs as he pleases, can get no money whatsoever one month then a ton the next. I picked up an EMA application form at the beginning of this college year and it says I have to send of all last years taxy and incomey things - but in my circumstance I cannot do that because last years income doesnt match this years income. If that even makes sense.

It just doesnt seem right that we are below the entry now and I could be getting 20 or even 30 a week but I dont get it because of last years income. Surely last year is last year and this year is this year.

Mmmm, :chin: anyone with an extra large brain fancy helping me out?

[Randomgirl]

Not sure if they do it the same for EMA but I was in a similar situation with student loan entitlement at uni, they did work it out as the year progressed I think.

[Pearly]

I'm not sure exactly how it will work, but you could try calling the EMA helpline, they should be able to offer you some good advice.

0808 10 16219. (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/DG_066955)

This article also has some information for you:

Education Maintenance Allowance (http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/money/benefitsandtax/educationmaintenanceallowances)

[I'm With Stupid]

I think you'll be fucked tbh. Most things relating to self-employed people go on your previous years income I think. Ah well, you don't really need EMA. I never had any costs at college, beyond what you'd have to pay for anything else, and I can't think of anyone that did tbh. Maybe one of those big art folders, but we borrowed all of our books.

[Scary Monster]

I don't know what the EMA threshold is, but as a starting point it would be worth working out with your parents in round figures what their annual income is likely to be.

If it's coming out clear under the threshold, then it's worth pushing for, if it's looking like being over then there's no point in putting any more effort in.

[girl with sharp teeth]

If they're not getting it already then your parents may well be entitled to working tax credit. The entitlement letter for tax credits quite often serves as proof for other related benefits.

[Ballerina]

I couldn't get EMA last year because my circumstances didn't change until after the school year started, and according to last years records we were still on whatever it was. I did contact the council and got a similar thing where they gave me a lump sum of money at the start of each term. It was only the equivalent of £20ish a week (i would have been getting £30 on EMA plus bonuses) and they asked for a new tax credits document each term to check. I'm on EMA now though.

[Melian]

Ah well, you don't really need EMA. I never had any costs at college, beyond what you'd have to pay for anything else, and I can't think of anyone that did tbh. Maybe one of those big art folders, but we borrowed all of our books.

There are some people that need it and do have loads of costs at college. Well, I certainly did.

[Franki]

There are some people that need it and do have loads of costs at college. Well, I certainly did.
My friend who got EMA spent his entire bonus on these (http://www.the13thfloor.co.uk/indexufs.asp?gclid=CO_Rnpi66Y8CFQuuQwod6hU4Dw). He said he didn't have time to go to college and get a job, when I was doing more subjects than him, lived further away than him and worked 20ish hours a week and still could barely afford anything.

I am bitter about EMA in general though.

[I'm With Stupid]

There are some people that need it and do have loads of costs at college. Well, I certainly did.

Well then it should be provided on a needs basis, not just handed out to everyone below a certain income level regardless of needs. Someone living at home, doing A-Levels in English, Media and Law doesn't need £20 a week to do the course. It just irritates me that they use EMA to bribe people into going to college, while uni students are struggling with their actual living costs, which they have to pay back at the end. In my opinion anyway.

[Ballerina]

My friend who got EMA spent his entire bonus on these (http://www.the13thfloor.co.uk/indexufs.asp?gclid=CO_Rnpi66Y8CFQuuQwod6hU4Dw). He said he didn't have time to go to college and get a job, when I was doing more subjects than him, lived further away than him and worked 20ish hours a week and still could barely afford anything.

I am bitter about EMA in general though.

how did he get it if he wasn't going? Most people have a timetable or something to get signed or it all goes on the register. The bonus is supposed to be a treat, but only if you're on target so I think your teachers give some kind of report to say if you are or not. They do at my school anyway.
Having said that though, a girl in my english class managed to get it as her dad was between jobs at the time, but then got a new one and was on like £40k+ all that year and she was getting £30 a week plus bonuses, which I should have been getting but didn't when my dad had just left so we were on about 1/4 of that. I dunno how she managed to get it though.
I don't think it's very fair, as it's just assuming that kids from families earning below a certain line need to be bribed to continue in education and the ones from better off families don't.
It's still a huge help to me as I'm struggling to find a job - and I've only missed 1 hour of school so far this year so I'm certainly not slacking.

[Melian]

Having said that though, a girl in my english class managed to get it as her dad was between jobs at the time, but then got a new one and was on like £40k+ all that year and she was getting £30 a week plus bonuses, which I should have been getting but didn't when my dad had just left so we were on about 1/4 of that. I dunno how she managed to get it though.

She probably got it because she didn't inform whoever it is that her circumstances have changed.

Someone living at home, doing A-Levels in English, Media and Law doesn't need £20 a week to do the course.

Says who?

I had to buy everything for my A Levels and my NVQ.

[I'm With Stupid]

Says who?

I had to buy everything for my A-levels too, and it came to nowhere near £20 a week. Maybe £20 per year if you're lucky. The most expensive thing I had to buy was a copy of Psycho for £3. I've asked before for someone to break down the full £30 a week of "course costs" they have and no-one is able to do it (travel allowances being available seperately of course). EMA is about getting people to go to college who would otherwise get a job, not about actually offsetting the costs of going to college, because if you live at home, your parents will still get benefits for you if they need it.

[xsazx]

yup I take 7 subjects (chem,bio,maths,eng,italian,history,tok) and still couldn't rack up £120 a month (£1440 a year!!!) in costs

okay I had to spend £42 on folders at the start of the course but thats a one off. I don't see how anyone could really find a need for a thousand quid a year to finance school costs.

But hey I'm just bitter as my parents make me pay for all my school costs out my own money and don't qualify for ema

ETA: OP try http://ema.direct.gov.uk/ema.html << link

[Franki]

how did he get it if he wasn't going?

He was going to college. He just said he didn't have time to get a job as well. So I had a massive rant at him for spending so much money when I worked hard at college, then spent an hour and a half getting to work twice a week and I still could barely afford to buy lunch even once a week, when he got extra money on top of his EMA from his mum for his lunch and he even spent THAT on cards, and complained he was skint.

[BumbleBee]

I am bitter about EMA in general though.

Me too!

I'm 24 now but when I started sixth form our school was in a pilot area for EMA. Although my parents were in the 'correct' income bracket for me to receive EMA I wasn't entitled because I came from outside of the LEA catchment area. It peeved me more that the people who got the best results for the school pretty much all came from outside the catchment area for the LEA so the kids who got all the money were the ones spending it on drugs and we got nothing.

Still, I have to agree that it's a con really. What does a college or sixth form kid really need? Sixth formers tend to be given all their text books and folders anyway. When my brother went to sixth form he got it and spent it all on dope. Hmmm, productive. :yeees: :impissed:

[katchika]

I wouldn't have minded getting EMA (who would complain about being given money for nothing every week?) but it didn't exist when I was at college. I lived at home and had a part time job, think EMA is a waste of money tbh when there are so many people genuinely struggling to get by.

[Melian]

Sixth formers tend to be given all their text books and folders anyway. When my brother went to sixth form he got it and spent it all on dope. Hmmm, productive. :yeees: :impissed:

For A Levels, I was given all my text books, but only one teacher gave us a folder. For one subject, I had to buy three folders.

[Franki]

For A Levels, I was given all my text books, but only one teacher gave us a folder. For one subject, I had to buy three folders.
What, over the whole year?

Wow.

That's hardly £30 a week, is it.

And I had to do that too, strangely enough, and I didn't have £30 a week to help me.

[FireyFirenze]

For A Levels, I was given all my text books, but only one teacher gave us a folder. For one subject, I had to buy three folders.

lol. i bet that cost about £1.50 or something though! i think its a given at college that you have to buy all your own stationary, isnt it? well it was when i was there.

i was really grateful for EMA, I got something like £13 a week and it went towards my driving lessons :thumb:

[Melian]

What, over the whole year?

Wow.

That's hardly £30 a week, is it.

And I had to do that too, strangely enough, and I didn't have £30 a week to help me.

I had to buy other stuff as well, like pens, plastic wallets and paper.

i think its a given at college that you have to buy all your own stationary, isnt it?

Yes, which I've had to do since Year 10.

[Ballerina]

EMA can be a real help though, I'm still struggling to find a job so it goes on just about everything. Bus fare to school is probably the main one though, as I live in the next town. And I have a big reading list for english, so I need to buy the ones that aren't in the school library.

[piccolo]

Well then it should be provided on a needs basis, not just handed out to everyone below a certain income level regardless of needs. Someone living at home, doing A-Levels in English, Media and Law doesn't need £20 a week to do the course. It just irritates me that they use EMA to bribe people into going to college, while uni students are struggling with their actual living costs, which they have to pay back at the end. In my opinion anyway.
What about the travel costs to college, not to mention books, writing equipment, lunches... It does add up.

[Franki]

I had to buy other stuff as well, like pens, plastic wallets and paper.

Yes, which I've had to do since Year 10.

WOW. Me too, oddly. It's still not £30 a week, and I still maintain that I could do it without EMA. I couldn't get EMA because my stepdad earns too much, I don't get the full loan (or even enough to pay for my rent) because my stepdad earns too much, but I managed it. I WORKED, even though I was doing one of the most time-consuming courses available. Watching people who hardly did any work, didn't do their homework, and spent their whole day playing cards get EMA and on Thursdays rush out to go and spend the whole lot on cards when I worked my butt off and could barely afford ANYTHING made me really angry.

Fair enough spend it on GETTING to college, that's probably what all mine would have gone on (£450 a year with an IB discount - £600 without, which is what my sisters was), but I don't agree with people getting it just because they went to college. WOW, go you. I went to college too, but I got fuck all and had to work myself to exhaustion just to get by. That's hardly fair imo.

[Ballerina]

Not everyone who gets EMA bums around.

[Franki]

Where did I say they did?

But I still maintain that the whole system is categorically unfair.

[Melian]

Watching people who hardly did any work, didn't do their homework, and spent their whole day playing cards get EMA and on Thursdays rush out to go and spend the whole lot on cards when I worked my butt off and could barely afford ANYTHING made me really angry.

I don't know what school you went to, but it was certainly never like that at the school I went to. We had to turn up to lessons (on time) and had to do the work. I remember last year, one of the teachers said that she'd refuse to sign the cards of people who didn't complete the work.

But I still maintain that the whole system is categorically unfair.

Why is it? Or do you think that everyone should get jobs? Even though that is almsot impossible for some people.

[Franki]

Why is it? Or do you think that everyone should get jobs? Even though that is almsot impossible for some people.

Because why should some people get paid for going to college and not others? Why should I have to work my butt off when some people who ARE perfectly capable of getting a job don't and then spend their EMA on crap when I go to college AND work stupid hours and still can't afford anything.

Why should YOU get money when I can't because the government make the assumption that I'm getting help from my parents? Why should YOU be rewarded for going to college and I get NOTHING?

Good for you - you turned up to all your lessons. SO DID I, and I got FUCK ALL for it.

THAT is why it's categorically unfair.

I'm not saying some people don't need it, but in the vast majority of cases I've come across, people don't use most of it on college stuff.

[xsazx]

yea totally agree with franki

3 folders is NOTHING we have 7 subjects each I have 2 folders minimum (then folders for CAS and extended essay) I'm going through pads of paper 2+ a month at the moment (school doesn't even provide paper). Bus fares at my old school were £700odd a term! (albeit my parent's paid the bus fares and dad now takes me but there's still petrol costs)

We have to buy exactly the same stationary (if not more on a more demanding course), all our text books, reading lists and revise guides (chemistry alone was £35!!!!), attend exactly the same lessons, do exactly the same work, pay for exactly the same lunches etc ......... when we're entitled to absolutely no assistance just because our parent's are supposedly "funding" our needs when in the vast majority of the cases doesn't come anywhere near close to the reality.

Why the hell should those from "better" backgrounds automatically be penalised when there's people only attending 6th form for the money and doing naff all!

If there's funding to be given (and no one realistically needs £30 a week, nor can justify) then I think it should be a generalised thing given to everyone not just the selective few who fit labour's ideals

[katralla]

Only, those from better backgrounds, as you put it, aren't being 'penalised' are they? They're just not entitled to EMA. You can hold down a job, study severn subjects and get your Dad to drive you to college, but not everyone can.

[xsazx]

haha please!!!
It's one of the hardest courses there is for our age group! I'm doing 40 hours plus a week of homework!!!
4 hours a week of compulsary service, 3 hours a week of debating representing the school etc not to mention the 150 hours we have to do as compulsary creativity/action/service

Do you really think I have time for a JOB!! lol I wish!!!! I don't have time to do anything, let alone work!!! ..... and even if i had time for a job the school specifically states you can't work more than 7 hours a week because it would disrupt your independant learning and they can forceably stop you/get you sacked if you do more than this

Oh and please don't tell me people on courses of no substance don't have time for a job because the work load is just incomparable to what we receive!

[Franki]

Only, those from better backgrounds, as you put it, aren't being 'penalised' are they? They're just not entitled to EMA. You can hold down a job, study severn subjects and get your Dad to drive you to college, but not everyone can.
But so can a lot of people who DO get EMA. And it's not about being penalised, it's about the automatic assumption that your parents will pay for all your stuff for you, when my mum struggles to buy stuff for herself, let alone me.

I'm not saying nobody should get it, but it shouldn't be that some people get rewards for showing up to college and others don't.

[Melian]

I'm not saying nobody should get it, but it shouldn't be that some people get rewards for showing up to college and others don't.

I take it you clearly don't know what the rules currently are then?

3 folders is NOTHING

Ok then, let me rephrase it: 3 folders for one subject (one per module) and 2 for another. You tell me that's nothing?

If there's funding to be given (and no one realistically needs £30 a week, nor can justify)

No, of course no-one can justify sepdning/needing £30 a week on school stuff. That's why at least one week in the last year, I ended up spending £40 on stuff for my placement. And that was just clothes.

[Franki]

I take it you clearly don't know what the rules currently are then?

They involve some people being given it and others not, which was what my point was.



Ok then, let me rephrase it: 3 folders for one subject (one per module) and 2 for another. You tell me that's nothing?
How about 6 subjects, at least 2 folders each, and then another subject with one folder? Trying to outdo an IB student will be very difficult, let me tell you that now.



No, of course no-one can justify sepdning/needing £30 a week on school stuff. That's why at least one week in the last year, I ended up spending £40 on stuff for my placement. And that was just clothes.

Why did you need extra clothes for your placement? What was so different about it that you couldn't wear normal clothes?

[katralla]

But hey I'm just bitter as my parents make me pay for all my school costs out my own money and don't qualify for ema


Sorry, what money? I'm sure you just said you don't have a job!

And Franki, I agree the income boundries are probably wrong, like you say - some families just can't support their children through education. That is fundementally why I think the EMA is a good idea. If you hadn't had the gumption to work your way through college you would have effectively been 'forced' into leaving education for full-time work, which is exactly what the EMA ought to prevent. You unfortunately slipped through the cracks and had to tough it out. You made it though, so try to just feel proud at yourself (because you deserve it) instead of bitter over others.

[Franki]

Sorry, what money? I'm sure you just said you don't have a job!

And Franki, I agree the income boundries are probably wrong, like you say - some families just can't support their children through education. That is fundementally why I think the EMA is a good idea. If you hadn't had the gumption to work your way through college you would have effectively been 'forced' into leaving education for full-time work, which is exactly what the EMA ought to prevent. You unfortunately slipped through the cracks and had to tough it out. You made it though, so try to just feel proud at yourself (because you deserve it) instead of bitter over others.
I guess so. But I still think the whole system is flawed. I know it's unrealistic, but they should find a way of assessing everyone's financial situation instead of basing it entirely on income and assuming mummy and daddy will fork out for books, folders etc.

I agree that EMA SHOULD be to stop people being forced out of education when they actually want to study, but atm it's about tempting more people into education so that they get money just for turning up and not really doing very much. Which is wrong imo.

[katralla]

I dunno if that's such a bad thing though. Sometimes it takes stublimng across learning something you find interesting before you are interested in learning more.

[Franki]

I dunno if that's such a bad thing though. Sometimes it takes stublimng across learning something you find interesting before you are interested in learning more.
That's true, but I still think it would be better to do it the other way around.

[xsazx]

Ok then, let me rephrase it: 3 folders for one subject (one per module) and 2 for another. You tell me that's nothing?
I'm telling you it doesn't justify a payment of over £1000 a year!!
I've currently got 18 folders just for current units let alone the rest of the 2 year course (each I've brought with my own money)

of course no-one can justify sepdning/needing £30 a week on school stuff. That's why at least one week in the last year, I ended up spending £40 on stuff for my placement. And that was just clothes.
I still had work experience to pay for, we have to wear suits every day (not allowed regular 6th form/college dress) and suits are damn expensive, my shirts alone (dress code is so fussy) came to £40 let alone suits at least £30 each ..... why should we have to pay for this sort of thing out of our own money when others get it given to them on a plate?

How about 6 subjects, at least 2 folders each, and then another subject with one folder? Trying to outdo an IB student will be very difficult, let me tell you that now.
:yes: :yes: Alevels/btecs/gnvq etc just don't even come onto the same scale. Especially when our text books and revision guides aren't on general sale (smiths etc) when the majority are costing £30 each ... 6 subjects ... adds up :yes:

Sorry, what money? I'm sure you just said you don't have a job!

Save up all my birthday and xmas money, put it in the bank and spend it when I have to .... people with EMA have the privlidges to spend this money on stuff of their choice because their course costs are well and truely covered, ours aren't.


And Franki, I agree the income boundries are probably wrong, like you say - some families just can't support their children through education. That is fundementally why I think the EMA is a good idea. If you hadn't had the gumption to work your way through college you would have effectively been 'forced' into leaving education for full-time work, which is exactly what the EMA ought to prevent. You unfortunately slipped through the cracks and had to tough it out. You made it though, so try to just feel proud at yourself (because you deserve it) instead of bitter over others.

exactly, so why should only some people benefit from it? Just because labour believes those that are "well off" scrounge off their parents or are completely financed for everything, when it certainly doesn't happen in my case and many others

[Ballerina]

I think its more to do with if you come into financial hardship, those with better off parents are more likely to be able to help out, whereas those who earn less are less likely to be able to help them out, which could end up with the kid saying 'fuck it, i'll go and get a job' and then they get stuck. It's all about increasing social mobility which we don't have alot of as the gap between the rich and poor is getting bigger. This is just getting into a bitter debate now.

[Franki]

It's not though - it's about the government wanting more people to go to college, and trying to bribe them into it. All the adverts I've seen for EMA are like "GET PAID TO GO TO COLLEGE!!". And if it's about people coming into hardship and not being able to pay for college stuff, why is it £30 a week? I know NOBODY who spends £30 a week on college stuff. And why bonuses? I didn't get any "rewards" for going to my lessons, I just got told "actually no, you can't get EMA, you have to work your butt off for nothing while people around you get rewarded for attending college just as much as you did". It's not fair, no matter what you say about it.

[clementine_the_tangerine]

Hmm. Fair enough be angry at the system (which I agree is flawed) but I think it's pointless to go all accusatory because if money was offered to you then it would be hard to turn down. No point being bitter towards people who receive it.

[Franki]

Hmm. Fair enough be angry at the system (which I agree is flawed) but I think it's pointless to go all accusatory because if money was offered to you then it would be hard to turn down. No point being bitter towards people who receive it.
I'm not bitter towards the people, except the ones who take it completely for granted and spend it on shit then complain they're skint, I'm bitter towards the system.

[clementine_the_tangerine]

yeahh ok it just didnt look like that earlier on that's why i said but if you dont feel that way it's cool

[Franki]

My brother did. He had nothing left once he'd spent his money on travelling and his lunches (because my Dad couldn't afford to give him lunch or travel money). His bonuses got spent on books and whatever else the college wanted him to buy which was quite alot what with the course he was doing.

I wouldn't brush all people that receive EMA with the same brush. There are people out there that genuinely need it.
Well fair enough, your brother is an exception to the people I know. I know that some people genuinely need it, but I think the criteria for whether you get it or not is flawed. I would have found it so useful to get even the lowest amount of EMA so that I wouldn't have had the stress of work while I was trying to pass 6 different subjects, but because it's based entirely on income I didn't get it, even though my mum could barely afford to pay for my bus pass even when I got 25% off because Colchester was the only place I could do my course (in fact she couldn't afford it, just like she can't afford to subsidise £200+ of my uni rent because Essex County Council decided that my parents earn too much to let me have enough student loan to even cover that).

I maintain that the whole system is flawed. And like I said, I'm not bitter about the people that get it - although it may come across that way - I'm just bitter about the whole system.

[katralla]

Save up all my birthday and xmas money, put it in the bank and spend it when I have to .... people with EMA have the privlidges to spend this money on stuff of their choice because their course costs are well and truely covered, ours aren't.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha . Oh dear. My sides have just split. You ARE joking though right?

[xsazx]

yea course I am :rolleyes: where else do I get my finances from when the school doesn't let us work, I don't have time to work, can't rely on my parents???

[katralla]

Where do you get 'your' birthday and christmas money from and who pays for the car that your Dad drives you about in?

[xsazx]

from relatives and friends/family who don't know what to get me?

my parents funnily enough I'm not old enough to drive nor have a few spare grand in my pocket to pay for a car :rolleyes:

[katralla]

Well, seeing as your family can afford to support you through education, ain't no need for you to get the EMA then, is there?

[xsazx]

lol they CAN but I still pay for the majority of the stuff I need myself.

Just because they CAN doesn't mean they SHOULD... if they had to people on very low incomes could support their child through education, doesn't mean they should though

I don't see what the hell my parent's incomes have anything to do with the grants/money I'M given because they aren't the onces financing my education...... why should it be one rule for some and another for everyone else?

[katralla]

Yes, it does actully mean they should, and yes they do pay for you. You've already said you have no other income apart from your family and 'friends'.

[katralla]

lol they CAN but I still pay for the majority of the stuff I need myself.

No you don't.

Just because they CAN doesn't mean they SHOULD...
Yes they should.

if they had to people on very low incomes could support their child through education, doesn't mean they should though
How's that then? By selling the family pet horse, or by getting up a few hours earlier and giving their kids a piggy back to college?

I don't see what the hell my parent's incomes have anything to do with the grants/money I'M given because they aren't the onces financing my education...... why should it be one rule for some and another for everyone else?

Well, quite. Why should your family have a big house, and mine a small one? Why should your 'rents be on a better income than me? Is it because they just work a bit harder?


ha ha ha ha ha ha. Grow up love. And, try to demonstrate a bit of the super genius intelligence you're go on about!

[xsazx]

No you don't.
yea right you stalk me for everything I purchase with my money now do ya? :rolleyes:

Yes they should.
other parent's get away without spending their money if they're child can support themselves with ema


How's that then? By selling the family pet horse, or by getting up a few hours earlier and giving their kids a piggy back to college?
:rolleyes: I meant if college meant that much it's always possible to achieve.... what the hell did all the people in the same situation do before EMA even existed do?

(( oh and transport shouldnt come into it because everyone round here on low income automatically gets free bus passes))


Well, quite. Why should your family have a big house, and mine a small one? Why should your 'rents be on a better income than me? Is it because they just work a bit harder?
because they work damn hard for it? You work yourself to where you are in life.... it's not even comparable to this situation because two kids in college have the same personal financial situation (i.e. next to no money) yet one gets spending money, one doesn't for doing exactly the same things

tis the same with uni fees, people with parents on higher incomes have to pay back more money just because of their parent's status. When they're doing exactly the same course, coming out with exactly the same degree, going into the same jobs, having to pay the same living costs etc but extra ontop because they don't qualify for assistance when the parents are supposedly paying for their cushy lifestyle


ha ha ha ha ha ha. Grow up love. And, try to demonstrate a bit of the super genius intelligence you're go on about!
can't actually be bothered to argue any more you're just being stupidly patronising and it's not worth my time typing

[katralla]

yea right you stalk me for everything I purchase with my money now do ya? :rolleyes:

Sorry, what money?


because they work damn hard for it? You work yourself to where you are in life....
POYFLSH


can't actually be bothered to argue any more you're just being stupidly patronising and it's not worth my time typing

snort

[Ballerina]

lol they CAN but I still pay for the majority of the stuff I need myself.

Just because they CAN doesn't mean they SHOULD... if they had to people on very low incomes could support their child through education, doesn't mean they should though

I don't see what the hell my parent's incomes have anything to do with the grants/money I'M given because they aren't the onces financing my education...... why should it be one rule for some and another for everyone else?

Aren't you in a private school though?

[xsazx]

Sorry, what money?

why the hell does it matter that it's money I've saved up myself or money I've earnt in a job?? I don't physically have time for a job because my course is so demanding so I have little other choice

POYFLSH
fancy not using acronyms so I have a clue what you're on about?


snort
and you're saying I need to grow up?

[xsazx]

Aren't you in a private school though?
nope, state grammar school (I was in a private school for 1 out of the 13 years I've been in education for I was on the verge of suicide because of bullying)

[katralla]

why the hell does it matter that it's money I've saved up myself or money I've earnt in a job?? I don't physically have time for a job because my course is so demanding so I have little other choice

It is part of my point about people who can afford to continue their education, and people who can't or would be put off because they and their families have an immediate need for them to earn money.

fancy not using acronyms so I have a clue what you're on about?

I didn't think you were interested in my reply, it means Pissing On You From Laughing So Hard.

and you're saying I need to grow up?

Yes, because I think you don't understand how other people live and connecting with the rest of the world might benefit you in your growth as a person.

[xsazx]

It is part of my point about people who can afford to continue their education, and people who can't or would be put off because they and their families have an immediate need for them to earn money.
did I say the system was a bad idea? no... I said if people are going to get rewards for staying on (and that's what it is) then it should be given to everyone not just a select few because afterall everyone has course costs, not just those on low income

Yes, because I think you don't understand how other people live and connecting with the rest of the world might benefit you in your growth as a person.
lol yeah what ever you say :rolleyes:

[katralla]

did I say the system was a bad idea? no... I said if people are going to get rewards for staying on (and that's what it is) then it should be given to everyone not just a select few because afterall everyone has course costs, not just those on low income

Well, I disagree, just as other benefits are means tested, so is the EMA.


lol yeah what ever you say :rolleyes:

All I'm saying is grow up.

[Scary Monster]

Children, Children, Children.

When you've quite finished bickering..... :rolleyes:

Some people need EMA, some don't. Sadly it doesn't always tie up with the income thresholds. The same problems exists with higher education funding.

Possibly a better system would be one where by the colleges/6th forms/schools cover far more of the costs. If paper, pens, stationary, textbooks etc were provided, and travel passes funded then it would get rid of the 'need' for EMA for kids from low income households, it would mean that everyone got the same equipment and resources as far as their education was concerned, and would probably cost less.

[katralla]

Although, that's not the EMA is for though is it? If it were, surely the recipients would get stationary vouchers like pregnant women get milk tokens? They get money so they can spend it on what they want, not what others think they should spend it on.

[Jim V]

Either way - this is a forum for advice as opposed to general debate - so if people want to start arguing they'll find the reaction will be much harsher than in p&d.

If people want to debate EMA I'd suggest starting a thread over there - but usethis thread to provide some advice for Ashlee