EMA Bonus Question

I'm sorry but you have to understand It's hard to take someone who claims it's a "FACT" that everyone in deprived families doesn't get to spend their EMA, (despite it going into their own bank account), with no source whatsoever seriously. When I know for a "FACT", that my best friend living with his single mum who doesn't work, bought his ps3 and sammy hd tv totalling £700 with his ema money and got £5 a week pocket money before he started 6th form.

Even if you don't qualifiy for free school meals (which everyone whos parents are getting job seekers allowance, income support, or child tax credit with an income upto £15.5k do) then a packed lunch costs <£1 to make. You also get a free bus pass if your going to the nearest FE establishment to you. And cycling for free is always an option.

I think it would be naive to believe that even 1% of people recieving ema are in the situation you describe.

But like I said, scrap ema and make transport and meals free for all eligable students.
 
Last edited:
At Truro college. Into my second year now and it has gone pretty quickly. The only thing is most of the tutors don't treat me as a 20 year old (I look about 16, students have a hard time believing I am 20). So when they ask why I haven't bought a new book etc and I say "because I haven't got any money" apparently that's not a good enough excuse.

The funny thing is I am struggling to even pay for petrol at the moment so it's going to be hilarious when they ask why I haven't been to lessons.

The other day they rang my Dads emergency work mobile number up and asked where I was. He told them "Why are you asking me, phone him". Gotta love it lol.

I'm at Truro College too...
 
My college use lame ass student cards with RFID chips in them so if you don't swipe in the system logs in and no EMA/ALG unless you explain why. I miss half the lessons because I don't go in some days because I hate the time table system (too many free periods where I could be earning money from working).

I used to get EMA in 6th form. Now that was awesome. Spent it on alcohol and food.

Yeah but you can still get away with missing a few lessons and still get bonuses. I think it's something like a minimum of 80% attendance to get the bonus. A friend of mine misses like half of all his college days and still manages to get his bonuses, mind you he goes to a different college.
 
Last edited:
There is nothing "lame ass" about that. You aren't getting EMA because you are not going to college... That is so "lame ass" dude.

lol

opet616, if I miss one lesson ALG is stopped unless I hand in a form and explain my absence. You are probably right about only needing to attend for 80% of the lessons a week but you do need to explain why you were absent. The hassle of going around trying to find the tutors to sign it and then your year tutor is waaaay too much effort for me :p

Besides I work anyway so I'm not too fussed.
 
lol

opet616, if I miss one lesson ALG is stopped unless I hand in a form and explain my absence. You are probably right about only needing to attend for 80% of the lessons a week but you do need to explain why you were absent. The hassle of going around trying to find the tutors to sign it and then your year tutor is waaaay too much effort for me :p

Besides I work anyway so I'm not too fussed.

Yeh. The absence system at Truro is a real hassle. I usually pick 'dentist appointment' on the scroll down menu... :D
 
Give the boy a break, he only asked a question. He is obviously entilted to it and must be working hard to get the money each week. I think its a good idea. Take your jealousy else where.

That's a silly way of looking at it. I'm sure he's worked hard for it, but so have other students and they don't get free money.

Parental income is not proportionally linked to the contribution they give to their children. The system is flawed. It's exactly the same for university grants. I've received zero contribution from my parents for university fees and I receive no grants, whereas someone whose parents earn £2000 /year less than mine may receive £500 for free.

A child from an unemployed family may be given £30 a week at college, whereas a child from a well off family who is given no contribution from his/her parents has to get a part time job to receive that £30 a week. Isn't that just promoting the child from the unemployed family to not get a part time job? How is that helping the economy?
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom