The latest National Statistics on Education Maintenance Allowances produced by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The key points from the latest release are:

• By 25 December 2009, a total of 37,480 EMA Wales applications had been received, an increase of 10 per cent compared with the same point in 2008/09.
• 34,280 (91 per cent) of applications received were approved, whilst 740 (2 per cent) applications were rejected.
• 83 per cent of approved applications were from students with a household income of £21,885 or less and thus were entitled to the maximum EMA of £30 per week.
• 15,420 (45 per cent) of approved applications in 2009/10 were for 16 year olds. 13,640 (40 per cent) were for 17 year olds and 5,230 (15 per cent) were for 18 year olds and over.
• Retention bonuses were paid in September to 14,200 students continuing their studies from 2008/09, an increase of 17 per cent compared with the same stage last year.

Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly Government website.