The deadline for claiming allowances that support the poorest students has been extended due to continuing delays.
The deadline for claiming allowances that support the poorest students has been extended due to continuing delays.
The new deadline of the end of October came as the Learning and Skills Council confirmed the claims backlog had worsened over the past month.
The new deadline of the end of October came as the Learning and Skills Council confirmed the claims backlog had worsened over the past month.
It said it was now falling but that 155,000 education maintenance allowance applications still needed processing.
It said it was now falling but that 155,000 education maintenance allowance applications still needed processing.
It has also emerged that the head of the private firm running the scheme has left his post in a restructuring.
It has also emerged that the head of the private firm running the scheme has left his post in a restructuring.
A statement said Liberata chief executive Robert Gogel had stepped down following the sale of a separate financial services arm of the business to another firm.
A statement said Liberata chief executive Robert Gogel had stepped down following the sale of a separate financial services arm of the business to another firm.
"Liberata will now focus exclusively on its core public sector business and existing private sector clients," the statement said, making no reference to the problems with the EMA scheme.
"Liberata will now focus exclusively on its core public sector business and existing private sector clients," the statement said, making no reference to the problems with the EMA scheme.
'Less than optimal'
'Less than optimal'
Liberata has blamed the rise in the backlog - which had been 162,000 at the end of Thursday - on a spike in applications as the autumn term began and said it had invested significant resources to speed up the process.
Liberata has blamed the rise in the backlog - which had been 162,000 at the end of Thursday - on a spike in applications as the autumn term began and said it had invested significant resources to speed up the process.
But college principals say things have not got much better and that students and parents are still having problems with the telephone helpline.
But college principals say things have not got much better and that students and parents are still having problems with the telephone helpline.
The Learning and Skills Council said it feared the problems with the scheme had led some youngsters to temporarily put off applying.
The Learning and Skills Council said it feared the problems with the scheme had led some youngsters to temporarily put off applying.
Chief executive Mark Haysom said: "It may be the case that some young people have yet to apply and we encourage all learners to put their applications in as soon as possible.
Chief executive Mark Haysom said: "It may be the case that some young people have yet to apply and we encourage all learners to put their applications in as soon as possible.
"As long as they do this by the end of October they are guaranteed to receive all the money they are entitled to, including back dated payments from the start of their course."
"As long as they do this by the end of October they are guaranteed to receive all the money they are entitled to, including back dated payments from the start of their course."
The scheme is UK-wide but the problems affect only England, where the administration was contracted out to a consortium headed by Liberata.
The scheme is UK-wide but the problems affect only England, where the administration was contracted out to a consortium headed by Liberata.
The government estimates that some 607,000 students will qualify for EMAs this year, meaning more than one in four are affected by the delays.
The government estimates that some 607,000 students will qualify for EMAs this year, meaning more than one in four are affected by the delays.
Students can get up to £30 a week to help pay their for their travel, books and other course costs.
Students can get up to £30 a week to help pay their for their travel, books and other course costs.
Struggling
Struggling
The BBC News website first revealed the scale of the problems at the beginning of September.
The BBC News website first revealed the scale of the problems at the beginning of September.
Since then a constant stream of e-mails from anxious parents and students has highlighted the continuing problems and how they are leaving some of the poorest students facing hardship.
Since then a constant stream of e-mails from anxious parents and students has highlighted the continuing problems and how they are leaving some of the poorest students facing hardship.
Liberata says it has employed some 1,000 extra staff to manually enter data into its computer system because the software is not working.
Liberata says it has employed some 1,000 extra staff to manually enter data into its computer system because the software is not working.
It says that between 10,000 and 12,000 applications are being resolved daily.
It says that between 10,000 and 12,000 applications are being resolved daily.
But because so many are still being received from new applicants the backlog had risen to 162,000, on Thursday last week, from the 150,000 it had reported at the beginning of September.
But because so many are still being received from new applicants the backlog had risen to 162,000, on Thursday last week, from the 150,000 it had reported at the beginning of September.
However, the LSC said that as of Friday some 155,000 applications were "in the process of being finalised".
However, the LSC said that as of Friday some 155,000 applications were "in the process of being finalised".
It added that the number of applications waiting to be processed is now decreasing day by day.
It added that the number of applications waiting to be processed is now decreasing day by day.
And that some 452,000 applications had been processed since May 2008 with 227,000 "notices of entitlement" awarded.
And that some 452,000 applications had been processed since May 2008 with 227,000 "notices of entitlement" awarded.
However, many of the students affected by the backlog will have applied several months ago.
However, many of the students affected by the backlog will have applied several months ago.
The delays have been caused by problems with the telephone helpline as well as the new computer system.
The delays have been caused by problems with the telephone helpline as well as the new computer system.
Liberata, the lead firm in a consortium, took over the EMA contract, along with two other educational support payment schemes, in July 2007. It is being paid £80 million for the eight year contract.
Liberata, the lead firm in a consortium, took over the EMA contract, along with two other educational support payment schemes, in July 2007. It is being paid £80 million for the eight year contract.
I don't think people understand that the people who aren't getting this money are the ones that really need it Kirsty, student from Cheshire
I don't think people understand that the people who aren't getting this money are the ones that really need it Kirsty, student from Cheshire
A spokesman said the computer system and the "telephony" for the scheme had been "fully spec'd" by its technology partners but that both were "less than optimal".
A spokesman said the computer system and the "telephony" for the scheme had been "fully spec'd" by its technology partners but that both were "less than optimal".
Meanwhile, thousands of students have been left struggling without their payments and some are even considering dropping out of their courses because they cannot make ends meet.
Meanwhile, thousands of students have been left struggling without their payments and some are even considering dropping out of their courses because they cannot make ends meet.
Contingency
Contingency
The LSC said interim measures were being put in place to help support the young people most at need, but this does not appear to be happening in all areas.
The LSC said interim measures were being put in place to help support the young people most at need, but this does not appear to be happening in all areas.
One student, Tom from Grimsby, wrote: "At our college nobody has had payments, some have been accepted but others still waiting, but we haven't been offered any emergency funds or anything."
One student, Tom from Grimsby, wrote: "At our college nobody has had payments, some have been accepted but others still waiting, but we haven't been offered any emergency funds or anything."
Another, Kirsty from Cheshire, said: "I don't think people understand that the people who aren't getting this money are the ones that really need it."
Another, Kirsty from Cheshire, said: "I don't think people understand that the people who aren't getting this money are the ones that really need it."
A spokesman for the Association of Colleges (AoC) said the problem with the contingency payments was that the LSC had promised to reimburse colleges rather than provide money in advance to help students.
A spokesman for the Association of Colleges (AoC) said the problem with the contingency payments was that the LSC had promised to reimburse colleges rather than provide money in advance to help students.
Not all colleges, especially the smaller ones, would have funds available to support learners facing hardship, he said.
Not all colleges, especially the smaller ones, would have funds available to support learners facing hardship, he said.
However, the LSC has now said that it would respond positively to any requests for an advance of funds.
However, the LSC has now said that it would respond positively to any requests for an advance of funds.
David Collins, AoC president and principal of South Cheshire College, said he was disappointed the problems were not being resolved more quickly.
David Collins, AoC president and principal of South Cheshire College, said he was disappointed the problems were not being resolved more quickly.
"Students and parents are still experiencing difficulties with the helpline and there is no real sign of the situation getting better.
"Students and parents are still experiencing difficulties with the helpline and there is no real sign of the situation getting better.
"At my college, only 40% of contracts have been issued in terms of what we would expect."
"At my college, only 40% of contracts have been issued in terms of what we would expect."
He added that while colleges could mitigate against the problem in the short term by helping students wherever possible through emergency funds, this was now becoming a long-term issue.
He added that while colleges could mitigate against the problem in the short term by helping students wherever possible through emergency funds, this was now becoming a long-term issue.
"We are meeting the Learning and Skills Council on Thursday (2 October) and this will be top of our agenda."
"We are meeting the Learning and Skills Council on Thursday (2 October) and this will be top of our agenda."
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
At the Sixth Form College where I work we are trying to support those students still awaiting responses from EMA with essential financial support, but to fund them all would wipe out our entire funds for the year within four weeks. I have spent endless hours on the phone trying to resolve queries and system problems, plus explaining the problem to frustrated students and parents. If applications are being cleared at the rate of 10-12,000 a day, the current backlog of 162,000 should be cleared within 16 days, leaving them only to deal with new applications. However, if they are genuinely clearing that many applications per day, why have students who applied back in May/June/July still not heard anything. It is disgraceful and unacceptable. Laura, Bristol
This is an absolute disgrace. My son has not heard despite sending off the application with relevant documents at the beginning of July. We have made many calls and are fobbed off at every corner. We are now told they cannot say they have his application. It is just not good enough and someone needs to put immense pressure on them to get this sorted. I read last week not to expect payments this side of christmas which is a unacceptable. The system was running well until the goverment chose a cheaper company to administer the applications.The goverment are failing our young people. Jean, Liverpool
This is an absolute disgrace. My son has not heard despite sending off the application with relevant documents at the beginning of July. We have made many calls and are fobbed off at every corner. We are now told they cannot say they have his application. It is just not good enough and someone needs to put immense pressure on them to get this sorted. I read last week not to expect payments this side of christmas which is a unacceptable. The system was running well until the goverment chose a cheaper company to administer the applications.The goverment are failing our young people. Jean, Liverpool
If the contractor didn't expect a spike in application numbers at the beginning of term, then they aren't the right contractor for the job.Allan Warhurst, Birmingham, UK
If the contractor didn't expect a spike in application numbers at the beginning of term, then they aren't the right contractor for the job.Allan Warhurst, Birmingham, UK
I made an application on 23 May. My daughter is on a government scholarship in England. I was sent back all my forms on 14 July as I had not completed form C. I had checked previously and I did not feed to fill it in. Returned all the forms on and then had a letter postmarked 5th September but dated 14 August returning my documents one of which was missing. I have telephoned 9 times and have been told the delay is due to my postcode, that I would get confirmation in 2 days that it was due to my daughter living in Wales etc. I am on a very low income and my daughter is really worried.Theresa, Gwynedd
I made an application on 23 May. My daughter is on a government scholarship in England. I was sent back all my forms on 14 July as I had not completed form C. I had checked previously and I did not feed to fill it in. Returned all the forms on and then had a letter postmarked 5th September but dated 14 August returning my documents one of which was missing. I have telephoned 9 times and have been told the delay is due to my postcode, that I would get confirmation in 2 days that it was due to my daughter living in Wales etc. I am on a very low income and my daughter is really worried.Theresa, Gwynedd
We found the application form so deeply intrusive into our personal affairs that we didn't bother applying. It required information to be provided of a highly personal nature despite saying that the information was NOT needed to make an assessment, so why ask for it in the first place? Cut out the nosy parker side of the form and their troubles will be halved. ALL students should receive it.Tina Matthams, Brentwood Essex England
We found the application form so deeply intrusive into our personal affairs that we didn't bother applying. It required information to be provided of a highly personal nature despite saying that the information was NOT needed to make an assessment, so why ask for it in the first place? Cut out the nosy parker side of the form and their troubles will be halved. ALL students should receive it.Tina Matthams, Brentwood Essex England
I'm amazed how I managed to go through my schooling to 18 without being given £30 a week. Can we honestly believe atht this money will go towards 'travel, books and other course costs'?Get on with you work and stop whining!Brian, Oxford, UK
I'm amazed how I managed to go through my schooling to 18 without being given £30 a week. Can we honestly believe atht this money will go towards 'travel, books and other course costs'?Get on with you work and stop whining!Brian, Oxford, UK
Yet again the Government gives our lives over to profit making organisations. Private firms equal private profit, public firms, i.e. nationalisation equal public accountability. If you vote for the main political parties you get big business running our lives and they dont do it for our benefit!I Rate, England
Yet again the Government gives our lives over to profit making organisations. Private firms equal private profit, public firms, i.e. nationalisation equal public accountability. If you vote for the main political parties you get big business running our lives and they dont do it for our benefit!I Rate, England
