I have a problem and could do with some sort of answer before tomorrow..
Whether you agree with it or not, people get EMA for going to college. Now I qualify for EMA, so thats all sorted. However the government guidelines say you need to attend 12hours of study a week (or greater) to get the money as you need to be classed as a full time student. I do 3subjects which works out at 13.5hours a week. So I meet that requirement.
My college have placed me on 'directed studies' which involves sitting in the library and doing work/reading/whatever for 4.5hours a week which is additional. For whatever reasons (I happen to have quite a genuine one) I don't attend.
Because I dont attend directed studies (but attend all my other lessons which amount to above 12hours a week) I havn't got any EMA payments. Are college allowed to put additional 'subjects' on like this and stop me getting my EMA because I dont attend sitting in the library? I personaly think I should be getting the money because I have enough lessons to class me as a full time student by the government.. AND many other of my friends DONT have directed study, just 3 lessons, and they DO get EMA. I have told the people in charge about this (but not mentioned any names) and they just say 'Well they are a blip on the radar, everyone should be doing directed studies'
Im meeting with the principle tomorrow, so any words of advice? can they do this or not?
Whether you agree with it or not, people get EMA for going to college. Now I qualify for EMA, so thats all sorted. However the government guidelines say you need to attend 12hours of study a week (or greater) to get the money as you need to be classed as a full time student. I do 3subjects which works out at 13.5hours a week. So I meet that requirement.
My college have placed me on 'directed studies' which involves sitting in the library and doing work/reading/whatever for 4.5hours a week which is additional. For whatever reasons (I happen to have quite a genuine one) I don't attend.
Because I dont attend directed studies (but attend all my other lessons which amount to above 12hours a week) I havn't got any EMA payments. Are college allowed to put additional 'subjects' on like this and stop me getting my EMA because I dont attend sitting in the library? I personaly think I should be getting the money because I have enough lessons to class me as a full time student by the government.. AND many other of my friends DONT have directed study, just 3 lessons, and they DO get EMA. I have told the people in charge about this (but not mentioned any names) and they just say 'Well they are a blip on the radar, everyone should be doing directed studies'
Im meeting with the principle tomorrow, so any words of advice? can they do this or not?