EMA: Frequently Asked Questions

About the EMA

• Who is the EMA Coordinator at the College?

Absences

• What happens if I am late to a lesson?
• What if I am marked absent but I attended?
• What is an authorised absence?
• What is an unauthorised absence?
• Who do I contact if I going to be absent?

If you are absent due to:

• Babysitting
• Birthdays
• Dentist Appointments
• Doctors Appointments
• Driving lessons
• Driving test
• Exams
• Funerals
• Holidays
• Job interviews
• Lecture at the Henley College
• Leisure Activities
• Part-time work
• Religious Holidays
• Shopping
• Sickness
• Transport problems
• University Visits or interviews
• Work Experience

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Pam King is available to help in D104 (behind Deanfield Reception) and can be contacted on 01491 634006 pkin@henleycol.ac.uk. Alternatively see below for further contacts:

National EMA student Helpline: 0800 121 8989
(current students)

National ALG student Helpline: 0800 121 8989
(current students)

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Who is the EMA Coordinator at the College?

Pam King, EMA Coordinator, is available to help in D104 (behind Deanfield Reception) and can be contacted on 01491 634006 pkin@henleycol.ac.uk

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How is the money paid to me?

The payments are made directly into your bank account.

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Why haven't I been paid?

If you find that you haven't been paid your EMA it may be because one of the following reasons:

  • You have missed a lesson
  • You have been marked absent in error when you attended the lesson
  • You have been marked late to a lesson
  • You have been absent due to sickness and have exceeded two days sick that term
  • Bank Holidays can sometimes cause late payment.

If you are not being paid your EMA you should have received an email from Pam King explaining the reason why. For further information see Authorised Absences and Unauthorised Absences.

If you feel you want to appeal the decision of non-payment, then you need to go and see Pam King in D104.

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How does Bank Holiday effect the payments?

Bank Holidays can sometime cause late payment. If you have a query regarding your payment please contact Pam King.

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What happens if I change my bank account?

It is very important that you notify the EMA Student Helpline on 0800 121 8989 if your bank account details change as it could mean that you don't receive your payment.

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What happens if I am late to a lesson?

If you are late to a lesson you will most likely be marked as late on the register and this will impact on your payment. If you are marked late and want to appeal this then you will need to see Pam King in D104.

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Babysitting

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Birthdays

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Dentist Appintments

Routine dentist appointments are not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence. However, orthodontist appointments are permitted.

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Doctors Appointments

A hospital appointment during college hours is acceptable (if supported by an appointment card or hospital letter), other medical appointments (including visits to your GP) must be arranged outside College hours.

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Driving lessons

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Driving test

A driving test is authorised absence, but evidence will be required, usually a letter from the DVLA.

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Exams

It is vital that you inform your lecturer if you are going to be absent from a lesson due to an exam. This will help to ensure that you are not marked with an unauthorised absence that could lead to a non-payment. For further information please see Pam King in D104.

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Funerals

Attendance at a funeral is considered as authorised leave.

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Holidays

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Job interviews

A job interview is authorised leave, but evidence required is required, usually an official letter.

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Lecture at the Henley College

Attending a Henley College Lecture is permitted as an authorised absence, but the student must let their lecturer know if they are missing a lesson.

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Leisure Activities

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Part-time work

Part time work, which is not part of the student’s programme of study, is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Religious Holidays

The College will allow up to three days absence per year due to Religious Holidays.

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Shopping

This is not considered a good reason for absence, and will be treated as an unauthorised absence.

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Sickness

For further information see Sickness.

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Transport problems

Severe disruption to a student’s mode of transport will be authorised absence (for example where a student commutes by rail and a rail strike means there is no practical way of getting to College).

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University Visits or interviews

A visit to a University either to attend an open day or for interview or a career related interview is an authorised absence. Evidence will be required, usually an official letter.

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Work Experience

A work experience placement which is an integral part of a course, and for which the student does not receive a wage, is permitted as leave.

 

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Useful Links

EMA Website

ALG Website

adviceguide.org.uk Independent advice given

dfes.gov.uk/ studentsupport
Student Finance

dfes.gov.uk/ financialhelp
Information about state benefits

dwp.gov.uk
Information about state benefits

inlandrevenue.gov.uk Leaflets explaining tax codes. personal allowances etc.

lifelonglearning.co.uk Career development loans

slc.co.uk
Student loans company

thesite.org
Advice for 16-25 yr olds

youthinformation.com Independent advice given