Students' views of study grants

From September lower income college students aged 16 to 19 can apply for Education Maintenance Allowances (EMA).

The allowances of between £10 and £30 a week have been tried in 56 of England's 150 local education authorities since 1999.

Staying-on rates improved by 5.9% among those eligible for the grants.

BBC News Online asked students in London - many of whom already received the EMA - if they thought it would keep teenagers in education.

Mike Wass, 17

The allowance is a good idea.

I tried to work as much as I could but with the EMA I don't have to.

Without the allowance students would have to work more and they would study less.

Some of my friends attend college because if they didn't go they wouldn't get the EMA - they're on time and going to lessons - it teaches punctuality.

Wayne Lock, 17

I was debating whether to go into the army but ended up failing the fitness test because I had asthma. I looked at starting work, but the EMA persuaded me to go to college.

It just gives you that little boost to make you want to go and learn, and now I think I might as well go all the way to university.

One of my mates dropped out because he was struggling financially.

I think the allowance has made a difference but he wasn't able to receive it - I'm not sure why he wasn't eligible.

Because he couldn't get to college he was missing out on work and he fell between the cracks.

Nicole Garnon, 17

How could I not think it's a good idea? - I'm getting £30 a week!

I live away from home and have to claim benefits. I live through EMA.

It's crucial to me personally not only because it allows me to buy equipment for photography but because it's pretty much crucial to actual existence.

Without the allowance I wouldn't be doing the course I want to do because I have to buy so much film, pay for processing, developing... and I wouldn't have finances to do it - I would have to drop it.

Because of EMA I have the opportunity to go to university.

It makes it that much easier - means we don't have to worry as much.

Ayo Kamara, 16 and Joanne Adefioye, 17

Ayo: The money is the only reason I'm at college... that and my mother...

Joanne: Most of the people I know who have dropped out have gone to work so their decision was probably about the money I suppose.

I live away from home and I'm still getting money from my parents but without the EMA I probably would have worked.

Abiola Ajibola, 16

The EMA is good but I want more money!

At first I got £200-and-something a term, then £100-and-something and next time it might be lower.

I don't think the allowance stops people dropping out. They just leave because they're tiring of college - college gets boring quickly.

Alice Fairwell, 16

It's good for people who aren't at home, who need the money to go to college.

Instead of taking a job they'll be getting an education and being paid at the same time.