EMA

[Woogie]

This is hilarious.

Your family presumeably earns at least £30 more per week, than the families of those getting EMA.

As such, you don't need EMA.

Claiming that all EMA goes to lowlifes is #$%!& insulting, that's literally saying all people who have less than £30k per year income, are low lives.

I have close friends who I didn't even know earned EMA, since they were embarassed about their family incomes (which they ought not be) - I wouldn't be suprised if you had the same.

I don't get EMA either, but I've never met anyone truly bitter about not getting it. I'd imagine that your parents can afford to give you £30 a week, but choose not to, assuming that you don't NEED £30 a week.

That's your parents' call, and not something you should take out on those worse off than you.

I didn't claim that all people who get EMA are lowlifes. If you care to read my post I said people from my school. I can't comment on schools other than my own.

[noodleplugerine]

This is hilarious.

Your family presumeably earns at least £30 more per week, than the families of those getting EMA.

As such, you don't need EMA.

Claiming that all EMA goes to lowlifes is #$%!& insulting, that's literally saying all people who have less than £30k per year income, are low lives.

I have close friends who I didn't even know earned EMA, since they were embarassed about their family incomes (which they ought not be) - I wouldn't be suprised if you had the same.

I don't get EMA either, but I've never met anyone truly bitter about not getting it. I'd imagine that your parents can afford to give you £30 a week, but choose not to, assuming that you don't NEED £30 a week.

That's your parents' call, and not something you should take out on those worse off than you.

I didn't claim that all people who get EMA are lowlifes. If you care to read my post I said people from my school. I can't comment on schools other than my own.

So you're telling me ALL students of your school below £30000 earnings are low lifes?

I'm sorry, but I can't believe that. Especially considering that I have friends with extremely poor families, who smarter than I am, (upper middle class white background, predicted A at a level).

[Woogie]

If you came to my school you'd know what I mean. Obviously not EVERYONE, but a vast majority.

[Spitfire]

EMA is stupid.. people dont need paying to go to collage... their is plenty of time to work part time if you need the bit of cash.  you should want to learn.

[noodleplugerine]

EMA is stupid.. people dont need paying to go to collage... their is plenty of time to work part time if you need the bit of cash.  you should want to learn.

I disagree on two points -

Firstly, the amount of free time varies massively, depending on the courses you take, the amount of work you put in, and the school you go to.

Secondly. alot of people need to support their families in terms of income, and as such, no matter how much they want to learn, they end up working in construction etc, to help their family.

2 years of sixth form, costs alot, and even with a part time job, its leaves you will alot less money than you would have working full time for the 2 years.

[Spitfire]

yes, but the point is you are at collage.. you arnt menna be earning what you would from working 2 years. you get the qualifications out of it.. i did maths, physics, IT and biology at A level and worked.  you will find time to work if you need to.

why should their be money spent on all ppl.. why not support only the ones who have extreme circumstances like having to look after their family... not everyone, its total nonsense.

[Stevepage]

I never got EMA and my parents don't earn £30K+ a year. Unfortunatly the EMA thing came about when I turned 18 so I was too old to claim. So I had to get a part time job washing dishes. I worked weekends, during the week after college and some times I'd do some cash in hand work with my uncle working through  the night with college the next morning.

I even had a band and girlfriend through college and still had time to sit about now and again.

If you're really in trouble getting to college etc then I'd strongly suggest getting a weekend job.

[donovan.x]

Get a weekend job. Other peoples circumstances are really none of your concern.
The incentive for going to college is to better yourself in the long term.
Just go and do your thing and live and let live, in college and Uni you meet, and probably end up friends with, people from different walks of life that you wouldn't usually associate with, college is so much more than just an academic education.
 8)

[Will]

EMA is stupid.. people dont need paying to go to collage... their is plenty of time to work part time if you need the bit of cash.  you should want to learn.

Well I disagree, with the drive of governments on statistics, more people educated is good, and they may get a job / go to uni.

I have most of my EMA in the bank from yr12, although I did buy a 2nd hand 4X12.
I only needed GCSE's for an apprenticeship, but it helped me personally as I felt the need for A levels, having the money to occasionally take my girlfriend out, and buy her a present and generally have a good time made all the difference. Indeed, even at what is supposed to be a selective and good school, most people there did spend it on utter shite but hey.

On the front of a job: From where I stand, the teachers at my school expect a lot of homework, and its utter shite, many teachers infact contradict the general opinion that school is getting easier.
Personally I was forced into farm labour since yr10 @£3 an hour, and therefore school life suffered and I have always been on the brink of dropping out, although not the same, its comparable to 'lowlifes' who are on the edge of leaving. atleast my bank balance is good now  

Yr13 however, I didn't qualify for any EMA (yr12 I was on full whack - grain price quadrupled per ton) and the parents forked out :D So in all honestly I can't complain.

Woogie, I believe you are getting a free car from your folks? maybe other peoples money will make up for that (also unlikely :P ), and help with the costs. £130 a month to insure, £120 ++++ in petrol a month, tax, MOT.

aaaand... hopefully the extra two years at school has tought me how to give a fair argument (and ramble on about a load of cr@p :D )

[Woogie]

I was considering an apprenticeship but I think I wouldn't have as much options as A levels. If I knew what I wanted to do e.g plumber then I think I would of definitely gone for it.

[_tom_]

It annoys me a bit, as my parents dont give me £30 a week, nor did any of my other mates not on EMA. Then again, they did pay for the insurance on my car in year 13 so I shouldn't omplain really.

What annoys me most is one of my mates whose dad is bloody loaded, yet because his parents are separated and he lives with his mum he still got the EMA and spent most of it on a new LP Studio :x He's done the same thing for uni as well - doesnt have to pay any tuition fees, dad pays for his accomodation and gets an extra £900 a term which he spent on a car. Sorry, rant over :lol:

[maverickf1jockey]

EMA is stupid.. people dont need paying to go to collage... their is plenty of time to work part time if you need the bit of cash.  you should want to learn.

Collage: the act of sticking pieces of material to a canvas or piece of paper to create an image.

I have no opportunity to work any time. I would need to walk 3/4Mile without any pavement to get to a part time job (there is a bus service but it is not reliable enough to ensure I arrived punctually or consistently enough to keep the job.).

In order to get there I'd need a car but I couldn't possibly afford to pay the insurance or driving lessons without a job and some savings (which I would prefer to keep for later on in life when I would need it).

I think the EMA scheme is a good idea in that it reduces pressure on the government to give out dole money and encourages further studies. What is your problem with that?

[dave_mc]

That's your parents' call, and not something you should take out on those worse off than you.

agreed. my parents (and other relatives) handed me money (and still do, lol) much more easily than people from "rich" families. rich people tend (gross generalisation, of course) not to be as free and easy with their money... as they say, you don't get rich by giving it away.

that being said, the fairest way to resolve this would be, if you're good enough to go to college, you get the £30 a week, regardless of income. just because the parents get it, doesn't mean they give it to their kids. I knew people at university who were well above the level where the parents were meant to pay the university fees, but who were forced to pay their own fees, and often had to get a job to do so (because their parents refused). that's not fair, if you ask me.

a similar thing should be run for universities, they should bring back grants.

of course, it probably costs too much money. then again, the iraq war apparently didn't.  :roll:

EMA is stupid.. people dont need paying to go to collage... their is plenty of time to work part time if you need the bit of cash.  you should want to learn.

having a part-time job can mean less time and energy to learn.

[Woogie]

that being said, the fairest way to resolve this would be, if you're good enough to go to college, you get the £30 a week, regardless of income. just because the parents get it, doesn't mean they give it to their kids..

Totally agree

[WezV]

i am still not sure about EMA... dont forget its not just £30 a week but also regular bonus payments of £100

its supposed to be down to the school whever they recieve the bonuses or not but we seem to have a situation were the schools dont want to say anyone shouldnt get it... there are kids and parents out their who think they are owed this money no matter what and no one is happy if one of those irrate parents comes in to argue because their kid has been denied a much needed £100 for the family income , so more often than not they get it anyway

people on lower incomes have always been able to claim more for college courses... if any of you are thinking of taking up beauty therapy there is usually about £400 worth of kit you need to buy to start.. obviously some people could claim this money and some were rich enough to pay it anyway... its those people just over the borderline that get the worst deal as always.  i aint going to say all those that get it free dont appreciate... but tehre is always one or two like that  and that always makes it harder to swallow for those who had to pay

anyway, 6th form is changing... its no longer just for those that get good grades an GCSE.. infact i think it may even be classed as discriminatory for schools to try and enforce that.  We have larger classes and a wider range of couses to suit different abilities... all this leads to a very different learning experience - it takes much longer for the 6th formers to loose their yr11 mentality.  I personally think the changes are a good thing if not quite perfect yet, everybody should be able to get a better standard of education if they want... but by the same token we shoudlnt be trying to push kids into courses that we all know are really beyond them.. for some getting out of education is the best thing they can do