OB3 Research has been commissioned by the Welsh Government to undertake a review of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in Wales.
The aim of the review is to explore the impacts of the EMA in Wales, and the current eligibility criteria and value of the award. The review is also expected to provide recommendations to inform future policy and decisions relating to future investment in the scheme.
The review is assessing:
the impact of the EMA on learners' decisions to engage in further study (considering previous £30 rate and new uplifted rate of £40 from April 2023)
the impact of the EMA on learners' engagement with their studies once they have enrolled
the impact of the EMA on learners' ability to cope with financial pressures more generally, specifically in light of the cost-of-living crisis
the eligibility criteria and value of support of the EMA
how the criteria and value of support should be kept under review in future years
whether the EMA model is the most effective and efficient model to support learners or whether alternative models should be considered.
