Student Allowance (weekly living support for full-time students)
Student Allowance
Paid by Ministry of Social Development — StudyLink · 🇳🇿 New Zealand
What this pays
The published value, how it is calculated, and whether it is cash or a credit ceiling.
Email and a six-digit code, then €50 a year. No password to forget.
Who qualifies
UnlockThe 6 published rules this programme tests you against — age, income, residency, household and the rest.
The steps, documents and official link are part of the paid plan. Checking how much you're owed stays free.
3 documents you'll need
UnlockExactly what to gather before you start, so nothing sends you back to the beginning.
Where this comes from
A Student Allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you’re studying. ... In most cases you have to be: between 18-65, and studying full-time.
https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-allowance/index.html
A researcher has read this record against the official page.
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: www.studylink.govt.nz
Report an error Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.
Related reading: How to read a grant eligibility rule
Other education & training support in New Zealand
9 more programmes are on the paid plan, with the amount, the rules, the documents and the steps for each.
- 20 Hours Early Childhood Education (free ECE for 3–5 year olds)
- Fees Free — final year of first tertiary qualification fees paid back
- Student Loan living costs component (in-kind loan, repayable)
- Student Loan course-related costs (up to $1,000/year)
- Training Incentive Allowance (course costs help for people on certain benefits)
- School donations scheme (schools with Equity Index 432+ can opt in; parents not asked for donations)
- Free school lunches for students at participating high-need schools
- Free period products (pads and tampons) available in all state and state-integrated schools
- PELT — pre-purchased English classes for migrants
Similar programmes
Childcare Subsidy (income-tested help with pre-school childcare fees)
Ministry of Social Development — Work and Income
OSCAR Subsidy (out-of-school care and recreation for children 5–13)
Ministry of Social Development — Work and Income
Fees Free — final year of first tertiary qualification fees paid back
Inland Revenue (with Tertiary Education Commission)
PELT — pre-purchased English classes for migrants
Tertiary Education Commission / English Language Partners New Zealand
Training Incentive Allowance (course costs help for people on certain benefits)
Ministry of Social Development — Work and Income
Student Loan course-related costs (up to $1,000/year)
Ministry of Social Development — StudyLink / Inland Revenue