Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 

If you’re under 18 years old at the start date of your course then an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available based on your household income. In addition to EMA, all students under 18 years will receive help with travel expenses and essential course materials regardless of parental income as long as they make an application. 

If household income is below £24,421 (£26,884 if more than one child in the household) you could receive £30 per week to help with your living costs. 

• You do not need to pay an EMA back.
• You must meet the residency criteria.
• We aim to assess applications within 4-6 weeks.
• All 5-21 year-olds resident in Scotland are eligible for Young Persons' Free Bus Travel, using a National Entitlement Card with the free bus travel product on it. Without this, you will be unable to travel for free on bus services in Scotland.  Apply for a Young Persons' Free Bus Pass.

Additionally, students living away from the parental home while studying will be assessed for EMA Away From Home Allowance from the bursary fund with a maximum weekly award of £44.92 depending on household income. Not applicable to students getting College Accommodation paid through bursary funding.

Part-time students under 18 years old can also make an application for EMA. 

Students who turn 18 years old during the course will remain on EMA for the duration of the course.

How to Apply

Funding applications for August 2024 courses will open from 22nd April 2024. 

• If you have an offer of a place on a course, the College will automatically send an activation email to the email address provided on your course application form.  We will stagger email invitations on a course by course basis from 22nd April through to 5th May.
• Once you have created your account you can then start filling out your funding form.
• We will acknowledge your application immediately and assess within 4-6 weeks which type of funding you are eligible for, including travel expenses and course materials, based on your age and personal circumstances. 

We can also help you with your funding form.  Our funding team are available for drop-in at Student Services or you can email studentfunding@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk or call the student funding team on 0141 375 5190. 

Further Information

Scottish Government have created a website, which has information on all student funding available in Scotland Student Information Scotland. 

Also please read our Funding FAQs. and see our handy FE Funding Guide for more information 

To support your application we will require evidence to be uploaded, this Documents Guide details some of the paperwork that may need to be uploaded.