HUNDREDS of youngsters in Hampshire have signed up to a new scheme to earn as they learn.

All 16-year-olds from low-income families are now entitled to apply for the weekly payment of between £10 and £30 following a successful fouryear pilot scheme in Southampton.

Staying on rates have increased, with 78 per cent of 18-year-olds last year in full-time education compared to a national average of 75 per cent.

A total of 6,963 16-year-olds across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have applied for the payments, known as education maintenance allowances. Of those, 1,335 are from Southampton.

A student is eligible to claim the payment if their yearly household income is below £30,000 but they don't get the money if they fail to turn up to lessons. The take-up rate across the county is considerably higher than neighbouring authorities in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (2,575) and Sussex (5,348).

A spokesman for the Learning and Skills Council said: "We have had a steady stream of applications throughout May, June and July but there was a dip in August.

"We are expecting more last-minute applications but students can register for the EMA any time during their first year of study and the money will be backdated to the date when their application is received.

Students who take vocational courses such as NVQs, as well as those going on to do A-levels at school or college can apply for the allowance.

The government predicts that 50 per cent of all 16-year-olds entering further education will be eligible for EMA and has set aside £500m to introduce the scheme - ten per cent of the government's annual further education budget.

"The EMA also provides an incentive for students to keep good attendance on their programme of study." Long on to the website at www.ema.dfes.gov.uk or call free on 080 8101 6219.