Student allowances

A student allowance is a weekly payment that you may be able to get to help with your living expenses while you’re studying full-time. Unlike a student loan, you don’t have to pay the money back, but how much you are able to get depends on your income, your living situation and your parents’ income if you’re under 24 years old.

If you’re under 24 years, you can’t get a student allowance if your parents’ joint income, while you study, is more than $98, if you live with them or $106 if you don’t live with them.

If you get a student allowance, you may also be able to get an Accommodation Benefit. StudyLink will work out if you can get this when you apply for your student allowance.

Are you eligible?

You can find out whether you’re eligible for student loans or allowances by contacting Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or visit the Studylink website or come in and see our friendly Student Advisors at either MIT Otara, Dilworth Building NA Block, or MIT Manukau (Floor 2 reception) who can guide you through the process.

Applying for StudyLink for the first time

We know that this can be a challenging process so our Student Advisors are here to help you to get your StudyLink sorted.

• Have created a RealMe account

• IRD number
• Bank account (If you don’t have one, we recommend that you open one in your name OR you can nominate someone e.g. your parent, partner and use their account
• Work and Income client number (if you have one).

You don’t need to do this alone so please see our Student Advisors at either MIT Otara, Dilworth Building NA Block, or MIT Manukau (Floor 2 reception).

New Zealand government student loans and allowances are offered by StudyLink to help domestic students meet the cost of study.

Studylink

The University of Canterbury is not involved in the administration of the loan and allowance schemes offer through StudyLink. It is your responsibility to manage your StudyLink account and advise StudyLink of any changes that might affect your funding arrangements.

Student loans can be used to meet the costs of full-time or part-time study including tuition fees, student levies, course materials and general https://paydayloan4less.com/payday-loans-wa/ living expenses. Student loans must be paid back.

Student allowances are weekly payments you can use to cover living costs like food, rent and other necessities if you are a full time student. Allowances are not a loan and do not need to be paid back.

How to apply for student loans and allowances

You can apply for both student loans and allowances can be made online via the StudyLink website. You can lodge your application for a student loan or allowance before applying to enrol at UC. However, you will need some of your UC enrolment details to complete the process.

Eligibility criteria

UC courses approved for StudyLink funding are assigned an Equivalent Full-time Student (EFTS) value. The EFTS value for each course is listed on its course description.

At a minimum you must be enrolled in 0.25 EFTS for Studylink to cover your compulsory course fees with a student loan.

If you have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to study full-time, you may apply for limited full-time status from StudyLink. This allows you to undertake a reduced course load but still received the same benefit you would if you were studying full-time.

Paying your fees by Student Loan

Your enrolment will be finalised once an inward fee authority has been received from Studylink. After the loan has been processed and approved any additional compulsory tuition fees/refunds should be automatically deducted from/refunded to your student loan account if Studylink criteria are met.