NUS Cymru Responds to Welsh Government’s Extension of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) Eligibility

“NUS Cymru welcome the Minister’s announcement today.  Raising the household income threshold for EMA will enable more than 3500 young people to engage with post-16 learning.  That’s 3500 young people that we will now see continue with their education and continue to equip themselves for a better future”, said Deio Owen, President of NUS Cymru.

“We have been campaigning for this for quite some time, and we are delighted that the Welsh Government have finally listened to student voices.  I look forward to working ever closer with the Minister in the coming months on areas where we can further strengthen the student offer in Wales.”

NUS Cymru has long advocated for reforms to the EMA system, emphasising the importance of providing adequate support to all students, regardless of their financial background. The organisation believes that expanding EMA eligibility is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable education system in Wales.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in their studies, and this announcement brings us closer to that goal,” added Cai Carter, Student Union President of Gower College, Swansea. “We are committed to working with NUS Cymru and the Welsh Government to ensure that student voices are at the heart of decision-making and that financial support for further education remains a priority.”

NUS Cymru encourages students and their families to take advantage of the extended EMA eligibility and to continue advocating for further improvements in student finance and support.