question help: EMA question. - Help.com

As long as you are enrolled on a full time learning course and are continuing to attend regularly, there should be no problem.

If you haven’t re-applied for this year’s EMA, you do need to act fast however. It isn’t renewed automatically. All too often students miss out in the first week of term because they weren’t aware of this.

Your learning provider (ie. your college) should be up to speed on this.

You should qualify for your bonus if your tutor, teachers or college agree that you have met any targets you were previously set. When you first signed up, you would have received a copy of their expectations. Usually it’s “attend all classes, make an effort to improve the grades by … points…” something along those lines.

If you did not complete a course, your learning provider could argue that you have not fulfilled your target. However, in this instance it seems you are endeavouring to “upgrade” so I think that would be unreasonable.

Unfortunately, it is down to individual institutions to make the bonus decision. You can, however, contact the Learning Skills Council if you think you have been unfairly treated and ask them to intervene.

Thank you for such a detailed reply :) yes i have reapplied and i’m guessing they acknowledge i’m in the second year as all my bank details were already filled out etc
You are correct in saying i wished to ‘upgrade’ (I found my National Diploma to be a little easy). My attendance has so far been perfect.
However, I just asked this on another board and a person told me they have canceled 2nd year bonuses for september. Do you know if there is any truth in this? I have tried looking on the official website but cant find anything about the bonus dates.
Thankyou

Could well be the case. There has been limited and conflicting information from the various agencies concerned and to say that this year’s EMA has been a mess would be an understatement! “Technical difficulties” according to Liberata the company commissioned to run the scheme…

I did manage to find this, which may be worth a look:

http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/Yor…

From what I understand, it is your learning provider’s responsibility to apply for the bonuses. At the end of the day, your EMA advisor should assist you in this. Unfortunately they will have been as much victims of the “technical difficulties” preventing them reaching the helplines and websites as have been the parents and students!

Keep battling is what I say!

One thing, if you haven’t had confirmation of your EMA by now you need to chase them up.

Don’t assume anything. You need confirmation asap.

Yes, I have had conformation from EMA after months of chasing them up. I have had a letter from them stating they have completed my application and that I shall be receiving 5 weeks worth of backdated EMA on the 22nd of October. However, it does not mention my bonus. Although I cant be too greedy i suppose, and i will not be entirely gutted if i do not receive it. Suppose all I can do is wait until Wednesday to find out.

I am pretty sure you should, at the very least, get a Christmas and Summer bonus.

As for the September bonus, I have not been able to track down any definitive “we ditched that idea!” from those in charge of the scheme online, but will keep fishing for you.

I’m guessing you’re in Wales? If you were in Scotland, things would be crystal clear!

http://www.highland.gov.uk/******/rdo…

Oh I do love a challenge….

http://www.litrg.org.uk/help/students…