Student allowances are available for some New Zealand students aged 16 years and over who are studying in recognised full-time tertiary or secondary courses. The allowance is income-tested, and how much you receive depends on your individual circumstances.
Considerations include:
- age
- whether or not the student lives at home
- whether or not the student has dependent children
- other sources of income, such as wages earned by the student's spouse.
If the student is under 24, and has no dependants, parental income is taken into account.
Students who are not citizens must have:
- held New Zealand permanent residence for 2 years
- lived in New Zealand for 2 years
before they can access a Student Allowance.
Allowances are managed by Study Link.
Before they can access a student loan, students who are not citizens must:
- have held a New Zealand permanent residence for two years, and
- have lived in New Zealand for two years, on a continuous basis.
For further information, visit Work and Income or 0800 889 900.
