Thousands wait for education cash

Students are encouraged to stay in education with cash allowances

More than 4,500 sixth form students in Wales are still waiting for grants designed to help them stay in education - four months after the start of the academic year.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helps students from low-income families remain in full-time education.

The opposition Conservatives in the assembly have called for an inquiry.

But a spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said the process may be held up because of incomplete paperwork.

Students can qualify for awards of £10, £20 or £30 depending on household income.

They may also qualify for bonuses of £100 if students meet agreed objectives.

The Student Loans Company says 33,968 applications have been received from Welsh students for EMA support as of 7 January 2009.

Of those 28,743 have been approved, and 645 have been rejected, but 4,580 are still waiting to see if they have reached final approval.

The student loans company says of those applications 3434 have been identified as missing evidence or omitting information on the application form, and 1146 are at other stages of approval.

Welsh Conservative education spokesman Andrew RT Davies, AM said it was a problem the assembly government needed to tackle urgently.

"I will be seeking an inquiry by the assembly's enterprise and learning committee into what is causing these delays and to ensure the matter is resolved as quickly as possible," he said.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats said the situation was unacceptable.

Welsh Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Jenny Randerson said: "We need a skilled workforce here in Wales to boost our economy and this money could be vital in deciding if students remain in full-time education or not."

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said there may be several reasons why a student has not received payment, such as incomplete application forms.

The EMA scheme in Wales was introduced for the first time in 2004/05.

In 2005/6 the scheme was extended to include 16 and 17 year olds and in 2006/07 18 year olds.