KEY POINTS:
- The Student Allowance is a government benefit to help cover the living expenses of those studying.
- Unlike the Student Loan, it doesn’t have to be repaid.
- Like other government benefits, the Student Allowance is means tested.
- For those under 24, the Student Allowance is means tested against parental income, as well as personal income.
What is the Student Allowance?
The Student Allowance is a financial assistance program provided by the government to help eligible students with their living expenses while they study. It’s designed to support students who may not have the financial means to fully support themselves during their studies.
The Student Allowance is separate from applying for a Student Loan to cover living costs and doesn’t have to be repaid.
Am I eligible for the Student Allowance?
To get the Student Allowance, you must be:
- Between the ages of 18-65
- Studying full-time
If you’re younger than 18, you might be eligible for the Student Allowance, even if you’re still at school. But the rules are stricter and designed to help young parents and those with no parental support.
To be eligible for the Student Allowance, you also have to meet standard residency requirements, meaning you have to be either a New Zealand citizen, or have held a residence class visa for the past three years while living in NZ.
Which courses are eligible for the Student Allowance?
Not all courses are eligible.
If you’re studying in NZ, it must be with an approved provider and be either:
- a Bachelor degree with honours
- An undergraduate course (level 7 or below on the National Qualifications Framework)
The allowance is also available if you’re studying overseas, as long as it’s through an approved education provider.
You can check full details of which courses are eligible here.
Who isn’t eligible for the Student Allowance?
If you’re already on a benefit that you can continue to receive while studying – such as NZ Super if you’re a mature student – you’re unlikely to be eligible to receive the Student Allowance.
For how long can you receive the Student Allowance?
While some people are eternal students, there are time limits on how long a person can claim the Student Allowance:
- 92 weeks of secondary school study
- For under 40s: 200 weeks of tertiary study
- For over 40s: 120 weeks of tertiary study – less any previous weeks of allowance, if claimed before
How much is the Student Allowance?
Student Allowance benefits are calculated on an individual basis and depend on multiple variables, including:
- Whether the applicant is single/married/parent/solo parent
- Living arrangements
- Number of supportive parents/parental support
- Personal income/parental income
Depending on their circumstances, a person might also qualify for the student Accommodation Benefit.
Can I receive both the Student Allowance and apply for a Student Loan for Living Costs?
If your Student Allowance exceeds the maximum Living Costs threshold of $323.43 per week, you will be ineligible to receive additional Living Costs support.
However, if your Student Allowance falls below this threshold, you may qualify for Living Costs alongside your Student Allowance. Nonetheless, the combined total of your Student Allowance and Living Costs support cannot exceed the $323.43 threshold. And, of course, you need to repay Student Loan Living Costs.
How to apply for the Student Allowance
Whether you’re studying for the first time, or have received the Student Allowance before, you can apply online via Studylink’s website.
To apply for the first time:
- Set up a RealMe login or RealMe verified identity.
- Ensure your course is a recognised course eligible for the Student Loan and Student Allowance.
- Know the details of your course, eg: its start and end dates (you can estimate the dates and update them later).
It’s important that once you start your application that it’s submitted within 59 days, otherwise it’ll be deleted.
Once the application has been submitted, you will receive emailed confirmation and then receive a letter in the mail that includes other forms that need to be completed.
Applying as a returning student
If you’ve received a Student Allowance within the past 12 months, all you need to do is complete a Returning application in MyStudylink.
If it’s been over a year since you last received a Student Allowance, you’ll need to reapply by completing the same process as a first-time student.
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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