Changes for academic year 2026/27

The Welsh Government has increased the household income thresholds for EMA for AY 2026/27.

New household income thresholds for EMA Wales new and continuing students from AY 2026/27:

• £24,570 if the student is the only child in the household (previously £23,400)

• £27,273 if there is at least one other dependent child eligible for Child Benefit in the household (previously £25,974)

Bereaved partners of Gurkhas and Hong Kong veterans (Wales)

From AY 2026/27, bereaved partners and their children of Gurkhas and Hong Kong military veterans who were discharged before 1 July 1997 will be eligible for full student support. This aligns with the existing “protected partner” category. They will not need to meet the three‑year ordinary residence rule, but they must:
- be a resident in Wales on the first day of the academic year
- have been resident in the UK and Islands since their most recent grant of leave

Leave under the ARR (Afghan Response Route)

From AY 26/27, students with leave under ARR (Afghan Response Route) and their eligible family members can apply for all student finance products (FE, UG, PG). They will no longer need to meet the three-year residence requirement. Eligible statuses include Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE). This applies to new and continuing students from the effective dates. This aligns ARR with other Afghan protection schemes for equal access to funding.

Applicants can provide NINO for income assessment

We can now verify students' and sponsors’ income through their National Insurance number. Students and sponsors no longer need to provide financial information.