Thousands more post-16 students in Wales are now eligible for a £40 weekly payment from the Welsh Government. The threshold for being eligible for the education maintenance allowance (EMA) has changed meaning more can apply.

EMA is a weekly grant of £40 which helps 16-to-18-year-olds from eligible households at school or college help with costs such as transport or meals. EMA was ended in England in 2011 but is still paid, though at a lower rate of £30, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

More than 16,000 students in Wales currently get EMA. That's estimated to grow by a further 3,500 from the new academic year in September after the eligible household income was raised. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here.

Changes to EMA thresholds

• The threshold for households with one dependent child is currently £20,817 and will increase to £23,400 meaning families with a household income of £23,400 or less will be eligible to receive EMA from September.
• The threshold for households with two or more dependents is currently £23,077 and this will increase to £25,974 meaning families with a household income of £25,974 or less will be eligible to receive EMA from September.

Minister for further and higher education Vikki Howells said: “Wales already delivers the most generous EMA in the UK, helping post-16 learners to continue studying academic or vocational courses, and this change means we will now be supporting thousands more learners. We are very proud of our record in maintaining and increasing the education maintenance allowance.

"We are clear that our draft budget is a budget for a brighter future and the uplift to EMA eligibility is one of the ways we are delivering this. The announcement means thousands more learners will now benefit from further financial support to continue or start their further education journey.”

The NUS, which represents students in further and higher education, welcomed the move. The NUS has been campaigning for the change saying it comes at a time when students face continued financial pressure from the rise in the cost of living.

Deio Owen, president of NUS Cymru, said: "We have been campaigning for this for quite some time and we are delighted that the Welsh Government have finally listened to student voices. I look forward to working ever closer with the minister in the coming months on areas where we can further strengthen the student offer in Wales."

Cai Carter, student union president of Gower College, Swansea, said: "Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in their studies. This announcement brings us closer to that goal." The NUS Cymru is encouraging students and their families to check eligibility and take advantage of the extended EMA eligibility if they can.