Thousands of teenagers across North Wales could benefit from changes to a Welsh Government grant designed to help young people stay in education.

The Welsh Government has confirmed that more 16 to 18-year-olds will become eligible for the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) from September, after increasing the household income thresholds used to determine who can claim the support.

EMA is a weekly payment designed to help students with the costs of staying in education after the age of 16, such as travel, food, books and study materials. In Wales, eligible students can receive up to £40 a week while studying in sixth form or college.

More than 18,000 learners across Wales currently receive the allowance, and officials estimate that at least 1,500 more young people will qualify once the new rules come into force.

The changes mean that from September 2026 the income threshold for households with one dependent child will increase from £23,400 to £24,570, while the threshold for households with two or more dependent children will rise from £25,974 to £27,273.

For families across North Wales, where many young people travel significant distances to attend further education colleges or sixth forms, the funding can make a practical difference to everyday costs. Colleges such as Coleg Llandrillo, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Coleg Cambria support thousands of students each year from across the region.

In rural areas of Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Anglesey, travel costs alone can be a major factor in whether young people continue their studies after GCSEs.

EMA was originally introduced across the UK in the early 2000s to encourage young people from lower-income households to stay in education. While the scheme was abolished in England in 2011, it has been retained in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, although the Welsh payment of £40 a week is higher than the £30 available in the other nations.

Eluned Morgan said the funding could be crucial in helping young people continue their education.

She said that going on to sixth form or college could provide life-changing opportunities and that financial support could make the difference in enabling some young people to take that step.

The First Minister added that expanding eligibility would help more young people develop their skills and confidence, while also supporting businesses by helping to build a skilled workforce.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, said EMA had already helped many students overcome financial barriers.

She said learners had spoken about how the funding helped cover everyday expenses and made it easier to remain focused on their studies.

Applications for EMA for the next academic year will open on 27 April 2026, with students able to apply through Student Finance Wales or seek advice through their school or college.

The Welsh Government is encouraging families across Wales, including those in North Wales, to check whether they qualify once the new eligibility rules come into effect.