[Tom]

Originally Posted by Phlip

I heard that too. But that's different to college becoming compulsory, I thought...

It depends what you define as college. For most people its where you go after leaving school at 16, but some people call college Uni and go when you're 18+.

Not all schools have a 6th form so if it becomes compulsory then they need to go somewhere

[Angus]

Nobody should be PAID to attend college, education is free to all to age 19 as it is, and should be valued for the privilege it is. Most students gettting EMA just consider it as pocket money, so why should the taxpayer fund it?

[Z]

I didn't get paid anything for staying beyond compulsory education, find it a bit unfair that English kids do.

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Zee

I didn't get paid anything for staying beyond compulsory education, find it a bit unfair that English kids do.

Don't you get to go to uni for free?

[Z]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Don't you get to go to uni for free?

Tuition fees are paid for by the government, everything else I have to pay for.

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by Zee

Tuition fees are paid for by the government, everything else I have to pay for.

Well that's a lot less than what we have to pay!

It balances out

[Z]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Well that's a lot less than what we have to pay!

It balances out

I'd say there's a dramatic difference between paying school children money for staying on and paying the tuition fees of University students .

[lily.]

The rules are different up here Greg.

[BB_Eye]

I never got my EMA anyway, because my local authority were arseholes and refused funding to anybody who studied outside the council's boundaries.

They're not studying away from home and are still dependent on their parents/guardians so I don't see why they should need money. I think any full time mature students should be entitled to something though.

[Barbie]

I got EMA when i was at college and i did spend it on its intended use, i paid for my train fare with it. everything else i used my job to pay for

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Barbie

I got EMA when i was at college and i did spend it on its intended use, i paid for my train fare with it. everything else i used my job to pay for

If you got a train to school everyday then you're in very unusual circumstances. There are some people I know, they live easily within walking distance, the school provides all the equipment & textbooks etc. that they need and they're being paid Ł30 a week, it's ridiculous.

If you have legitimate need for money to pay for travel or something like that then they could ask those who are in need to apply for bus/train passes and give those to students instead. Not sure what the practicality and costs of doing that would be though.

[Judas]

I had EMA and I admit, I didn't use it for what it was meant to be for - there is no way I needed that much money to go to college. I had a job to pay for fun, and EMA paid for my driving lessons. I think the system is easily abused, although I still think some 'bonus' scheme on exam results could be used.

[Angus]

Originally Posted by Judas

I had EMA and I admit, I didn't use it for what it was meant to be for - there is no way I needed that much money to go to college. I had a job to pay for fun, and EMA paid for my driving lessons. I think the system is easily abused, although I still think some 'bonus' scheme on exam results could be used.

Why should you get a pat on the head for doing what you're supposed to be doing anyway, ie studying and passing your exams? Education is it's own reward, surely.

[\PJ/]

I am glad it's stopping it's not used correctly. The amount of times i have heard teenagers say they spend it on drink it's a joke im sick to death of the chav chavs riding each other and producing more chavs they are breading monsters.

[Judas]

Originally Posted by \PJ/

I am glad it's stopping it's not used correctly. The amount of times i have heard teenagers say they spend it on drink it's a joke im sick to death of the chav chavs riding each other and producing more chavs they are breading monsters.

LOL, I don't think EMA is quite to blame for the 'chav' culture you talk of...

[Beastie]

MOST people spend their EMA on other things. NOT stationary.. etc..

However in colleges there should be books in the library and free computers and paper to use. So you don't have to spend EMA on that.

Yes.. you should try and get a job when you are 16 part time if you are at college.

But hello.. it is hard to get a job!! However you have to keep trying!

Anyway back to EMA... You only get it if your mum and dad jointly earn less than 30 grand a year or something. You will then get a tenner, 20 quid or 30 quid a week depending on how much your parents earn.

MOST students will be able to live and travel without the EMA. However when they do scrap the EMA. I hope colleges make sure there are enough books, computers, paper and equipment for students to use during their studies!

However.. travelling.. if you are 16-18 you only have to pay 40p for the bus anyway! I am sure MOST people parent's give their kiddies a bit of money when they are 16-18 during their studies.

Also apparently if it is longer than 3 miles to get to college then you can receive a travel grant of 140 quid a year or something!

[Beastie]

I got EMA when I was at college. However for me it didn't really make a difference whether I got it or not. I paid for 1 or 2 textbooks with it! Or just used the library books and the college's computer and paper! I also used the money if I went on college trips!!

[lily.]

I gained more useful qualifications after I left school. My employer sent a select group of us to college on day-release to get our HND in Business. So I was working 4 days, at college for one, and getting my wages at the end of the month. The employer paid for our tuition, and we had no need to claim anything from the government.

My post about birth-control wasn't a 'sly dig'. It was merely to point out how you can't generalise as everyone's situation is different. It's insulting to those of us who have gained further qualifications without being full-time students.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by lily.

I gained more useful qualifications after I left school. My employer sent a select group of us to college on day-release to get our HND in Business. So I was working 4 days, at college for one, and getting my wages at the end of the month. The employer paid for our tuition, and we had no need to claim anything from the government.

My post about birth-control wasn't a 'sly dig'. It was merely to point out how you can't generalise as everyone's situation is different. It's insulting to those of us who have gained further qualifications without being full-time students.

That kind of thing counts as further education now.

[Mr XcX]

EMA Is a joke.

Hundreds scaming the system. Scrap it David please.

[bettiepage]

I only ever got paid EMA on holidays :L

[lily.]

Tom, it's not subsidised though. And, I worked throughout.