Guidance notes for EMA Learning Centres in Northern Ireland

Version 1.0 - Last Updated: 21 Nov 2025

Notes to help you manage the EMA scheme in Northern Ireland.

Introduction

What is the EMA scheme?

The purpose of these guidance notes

Promoting the EMA scheme

Main messages about EMA

Household income

Eligible courses

Multiple Learning Centres

Sample checking

New student applications

Returning student applications

Backdated weekly allowance payments

What are EMA Learning Agreements?

Content of the EMA Learning Agreement

Example completed learning agreement

An example of a completed learning agreement

Nominated Person EMA Learning Agreement Form

Signing the EMA Learning Agreement

EMA Learning Agreement Part 1

EMA Learning Agreement Part 2

Bonus review meetings

EMA Learning Agreement status

Students changing courses

Students changing school or college

Repeat study

Entering your Learning Centre's holidays

The 'two day rule'

Attendance during holidays

Attendance

Course start date

Recording and collating attendance

Submitting attendance confirmations

Changing attendance confirmations

Telling students about attendance decisions

Absence

Authorised absence

Unauthorised absence

Illness

Maternity and paternity related absence

Bonus payments

Authorising and releasing bonus payments

Timing of bonus payments

Bonus payments made in error

Appeals about EMA entitlement

Appeals about attendance and bonus payments

Record keeping

Audit advice

Targeted bulk erasure of data

Guidance notes for EMA Learning Centres in Northern Ireland

Introduction

What is the EMA scheme?

The purpose of these guidance notes

EMA promotion

Promoting the EMA scheme

Main messages about EMA

Eligibility

Household income

Eligible courses

Multiple Learning Centres

Sample checking

Application process

New student applications

Returning student applications

Backdated weekly allowance payments

EMA Learning Agreements

What are EMA Learning Agreements?

Content of the EMA Learning Agreement

Example completed learning agreement

Nominated Person EMA Learning Agreement Form

Signing the EMA Learning Agreement

EMA Learning Agreement Part 1

EMA Learning Agreement Part 2

Bonus review meetings

EMA Learning Agreement status

Change of circumstances

Students changing courses

Students changing school or college

Repeat study

Holidays

Entering your Learning Centre's holidays

The 'two day rule'

Attendance during holidays

Attendance

Attendance

Course start date

Recording and collating attendance

Submitting attendance confirmations

Changing attendance confirmations

Telling students about attendance decisions

Absence

Absence

Authorised absence

Unauthorised absence

Illness

Maternity and paternity related absence

Bonuses

Bonus payments

Authorising and releasing bonus payments

Timing of bonus payments

Bonus payments made in error

Appeals

Appeals about EMA entitlement

Appeals about attendance and bonus payments

Record keeping

Record keeping

Audit advice

Targeted bulk erasure of data