More students able to get grant | Global News Avenue

Nia, 17, from Caerphilly, said: “It really inspired me to go to university because without it it would have been a struggle.”

She is one of 16,000 Sixth Form or University students in Wales Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) – totals that may increase from September onwards.

The Welsh Government said the household income threshold for the EMA, which has been frozen since 2010, will be increased, meaning an extra 3,500 students will benefit.

Jonathan Morgan, head of Coleg Y Cymoedd, which has a campus in South Wales, said economic disadvantage had a “huge” impact on education and the boost was “a step in the right direction” “.

Nia, a student at Nantgarw College in Rhondda Cynon Taf, said receiving the £80 fortnightly payments took away the stress of worrying about money: “because I know I’ll be able to use what I need”.

She added: “This really enabled me to go to college with the essentials I needed, such as writing pens, notebooks and revision resources.”

Since no one is working from home, the EMA helps out with food at times, she said.

Nia added: “This really encouraged me to continue going to university so that I could help my family and buy things they needed, such as bread.”

Roxy, 16, also said the grant would help lift the “financial burden” on Rhondda Trealaw, who lives with her aunt, uncle and twin brother.

The stipend was paid directly into her bank account, which she said she felt “empowered” by.

“I spent it on college and learning materials,” she said.

“I think it gives you more independence and opportunity to work out what you want and what you want to get.”

The increase in the annual household income threshold for students to qualify for the EMA comes after a Welsh Government report said the number of students claiming the benefit had been falling for several years.

It said 41% of the 16 to 18-year-old student population received the grant in 2015-16, but this dropped to 15% in 2022-23.

From the next academic year, the threshold will rise from £20,817 to £23,400 for a family with a dependent, and from £23,077 to £25,974 for families with two or more dependents.

Jonathan Morgan, head of Coleg Y Cymoedd, said raising the threshold would help more students start university from September.

“We have a large proportion of learners from lower economic backgrounds,” he added.

But at the same time, he said many students Changes in parliamentary policy.

He said there was “more work to do” in addressing the costs faced by university students, but called the changes to the EMA thresholds “absolutely the right thing to do”.

EMA pays every two weeks 80 to young people aged 16 to 18 who continue their education after the mandatory school period.

This is what the test means, and from September 2025 people are eligible if they are the sole dependent if they live in a household with an annual income of £23,400 or less, or if there are other dependents on their income is £23,400 or up to £25,974.

Can be claimed in six forms or from the College of Further Education by students studying academic or vocational courses such as GCSES, A-levels, BTECs or Basic Skills courses.

Your sixth form or university can help with the application process.

In April 2023, the allowance increases from £30 to £40 per week.

Victoria Winckler, from anti-poverty think tank the Bevan Foundation, welcomed the changes to Threshold, saying it was a “tough and difficult argument for lift”.

She added: “This should be a first step as we believe devolved grants and allowances should be reviewed regularly.”

Further and Higher Education Minister Vikki Howells said the changes to the EMA were a “very generous package” that she wanted to “review every year”.

Acknowledging that the cost of travel is a challenge for many young people, she said it was an area she was keen to see progress. Meaning public transport is also available. “