Scholarships
Loans and allowances
Student allowances
Student allowances assist New Zealand students in financial need who are enrolled in a recognised full-time course of study. International students, and students who have had Permanent Residency status for less than two years, are not eligible. A student allowance is a grant and does not need to be repaid, unlike a student loan. Other income may affect your eligibility for an allowance.
Student loans
To be eligible for a student loan you must be a New Zealand citizen or have been granted Permanent Resident status.
You must be studying full-time for a minimum of 12 weeks, or part-time for a full year, at an approved tertiary institution.
You may apply for tuition fees, course-related costs (for example, books, stationery and travel) and living costs (living costs are not available to part-time students). Applications for loans should be made at least one month before study begins.
Loans need to be repaid and may accrue interest. (Inland Revenue Department - Student Loans provides more information about Student Loan interest.)
StudyLink provides more information and online application forms for loans and allowances. Students are advised to apply early.
Visit their website or call 0800 88 99 00 for more information.
Part-time work and volunteering
Many students work part-time to support themselves through university. As well as helping to cover costs, this can provide valuable work experience and the opportunity to network with potential colleagues and employers. But it's important to maintain a balance between the number of hours you work and the requirements of your university study, so that your academic performance is not compromised.
Before committing yourself to a part-time job, check out whether you are expected to undertake professional placements or work experience as part of your degree. You should also try to arrange flexibility with your employer to do less work around exam time and more in the holidays. If you are planning on applying for a student allowance you need to be aware that you can only earn a maximum of $180 before tax per week and still be eligible for the allowance.
Some University programmes can be completed over a number of years. This gives you the flexibility to complete courses while doing a full or part-time job, or managing family responsibilities.
Student Job Search can assist in referring you to short-term job opportunities.
The Employment Relations Service provides information about your employment rights and obligations such as the minimum wage and holiday pay.
Volunteering (through Outreach, a Centre for Volunteering at The University of Auckland) will not earn you money in the short term, but the experience and skills you gain will help you to be competitive in the job market in the future.
Money management advice
Learning to manage your money is part of independent living. The University offers free financial advice to students, to help you balance your budget.
Sorted is a good budgeting and money management website, with lots of great tips and budget calculators.
