Study Link FAQs

StudyLink is a New Zealand government service that helps students access financial support for tertiary study. 

StudyLink can help with: 

• Student Loans 
• Student Allowances 
• Living costs support 
• Hardship assistance 
• Information about eligibility and repayments 

StudyLink also provides guidance and tools to help students understand their options and manage their finances while studying. 

• It helps make tertiary study more affordable. 
• It provides financial support for eligible students. 
• The website contains detailed information about funding, allowances, loans, and eligibility requirements.
• It helps make tertiary study more affordable. 
• It provides financial support for eligible students. 
• The website contains detailed information about funding, allowances, loans, and eligibility requirements. 

In most cases, you must: 

• Be aged between 18 and 65 
• Be studying full-time 
• Meet residency requirements 
• Be enrolled in an approved course 

In some situations, students aged 16–17 or those studying part-time may also qualify. 

Your eligibility may depend on: 

• Your own income 
• Your parents’ income (if you are under 24 and have no children) 
• Your partner’s income (in certain circumstances) 
• Your previous history with Student Allowance 

In some cases, a stepparent’s income may also be included when assessing eligibility. 

The best way to estimate your entitlement is to use the Student Allowance Calculator: 

Sue Kururangi (Studylink Officer) is available at EIT (Taradale Campus) every second Friday in B Block (Te Pae Hono) from 9:00am–12:00pm to help students with StudyLink questions and applications. 

Sue can help with: 

• Student Loans and Allowances 
• Applications and Documents 
• Mystudylink Issues 
• Eligibility Questions 
• What Happens Next 
• And much more 

Sue will be on campus:  

August – 14th, 28th 
September – 11th, 25th 
October – 9th, 16th, 30th,  
November – 13th, 27th 
December – 11th 

The easiest and fastest way to apply is online through the StudyLink website. 

Follow these steps: 

• Create a RealMe login (if you don’t already have one)
• Complete the Eligibility Test 
• Submit your online application 
• Check for any forms or requests sent by StudyLink 
• Provide all required supporting documents 

After applying, log in to MyStudyLink to track the progress of your application. 

While paper application forms are available, online applications are strongly recommended. Paper forms can be delayed or lost in the mail, which may slow down your application. 

Yes, Sue Kururangi (Studylink Officer) is available at EIT (Taradale Campus) every second Friday in B Block (Te Pae Hono) and can help with their StudyLink application on campus. 

To apply, you will need to bring: 

• A valid photo ID 
• Your IRD number (tax number) 
• Your Birth Certificate or Passport 
• Your RealMe login details (if you already have them) 
• Sue is available every second Friday from 9:00am–12:00pm and can help you with your StudyLink application and answer any questions. 

 Eligibility depends on your personal circumstances, such as: 

• Your age 
• Residency status 
• Course type 
• Study workload (full-time or part-time) 
• Income 

The easiest way to find out what support you may qualify for is to complete the StudyLink Eligibility Test. 

This can show whether you’re eligible for support such as: 

• Student Allowance 
• Student Loan 
• Jobseeker Support Student Hardship 
• Other financial assistance 

StudyLink may be able to help with: 

• Compulsory course fees 
• Course-related costs (e.g. books, laptops, equipment) 
• Day-to-day living costs 
• Additional costs such as disability support or childcare 

The amount you can receive depends on factors such as your age, income, and course of study.

RealMe is a secure login service used to access StudyLink and other New Zealand government services. 

There are two types of RealMe accounts: 

• Standard RealMe login – quick and easy to set up, and suitable for most StudyLink applications. 
• Verified RealMe login – requires additional identity verification and can take longer to complete. 

If you do not already have a RealMe account, you can create one when you start your StudyLink application. Simply select: 

“No, I want to create one.” 

Once created, you’ll use your RealMe login to access MyStudyLink and manage your application online.

Don’t worry. If your identity verification hasn’t been completed yet, select “No” when prompted and continue with your application. 

You can still progress through the application process while your verification is complete. 

 If you are a fulltime student, you cannot receive Job Seeker payments. Please contact MSD to cancel your payment and avoid debt.

Visit the Study Link Website for more information.