Education Maintenance Allowance
| Pay dates (Thursdays) | Attendance week 1 (week ending) | Attendance week 2 (week ending) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 September 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | School holiday | 21/08/2026 |
| 17 September 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 28/08/2026 | 04/09/2026 |
| 1 October 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 11/09/2026 | 18/09/2026 |
| 15 October 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 25/09/2026 | 02/10/2026 |
| 29 October 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 09/10/2026 | School holiday |
| 12 November 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | School holiday | 30/10/2026 |
| 26 November 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 06/11/2026 | 13/11/2026 |
| 10 December 2026 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 20/11/2026 | 27/11/2026 |
| 24 December 2026* | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 04/12/2026 | 11/12/2026 |
| 7 January 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 18/12/2026 | School holiday |
| 21 January 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | School holiday | 08/01/2027 |
| 4 February 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 15/01/2027 | 22/01/2027 |
| 18 February 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 29/01/2027 | 05/02/2027 |
| 4 March 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 12/02/2027 | 19/02/2027 |
| 18 March 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 26/02/2027 | 05/03/2027 |
| 1 April 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 12/03/2027 | 19/03/2027 |
| 15 April 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 26/03/2027 | School holiday |
| 29 April 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | School holiday | 16/04/2027 |
| 13 May 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 23/04/2027 | 30/04/2027 |
| 27 May 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 07/05/2027 | 14/05/2027 |
| 10 June 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 21/05/2027 | 28/05/2027 |
| 24 June 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 04/06/2027 | 11/06/2027 |
| 8 July 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 18/06/2027 | 25/06/2027 |
| 22 July 2027 | Payment due for the following attendance weeks: | 03/07/2027 | School holiday |
*Payment date of 26 December 2026 may change due to Christmas Bank Holiday
Note
- This list of payment dates is for information only. You may not be entitled to a payment on all of the dates.
- You do not receive payment whilst on school holiday of 3 consecutive days or more.
- If you are missing a payment, contact your school in the first instance before calling the EMA Unit. The EMA Unit only pay out the payments authorised by your school. If you are missing a week, we will not know the reason why. Your school will be able to explain why you are missing a payment.
- If you are a 6th year pupil, or are in 5th year and not staying on for 6th year, you will normally only be paid up to the end of the SQA exam timetable. This is usually the beginning of June.
- If you have an EMA start date of 4 January 2027, you will be entitled to your first payment on 21 January 2027.
- Your school office must receive your Learning Agreement at least 2 weeks prior to the payment dates listed above, to allow you to receive your money.
