How to apply for a student loan or allowance

Find out how you can apply for a student loan and allowance.

Useful things to know about your student loan or allowance

There can be a delay of at least 2 weeks from when StudyLink asks the University to confirm your enrolment and fee information and when they release the fees payment.
The University is limited in what information we are allowed to provide to StudyLink about you without your permission, and we cannot include information about your fees unless StudyLink specifically requests this information. The sharing of information is dependent on the selections that you made on your student loan application with StudyLink.
The University makes every attempt to provide updated information to StudyLink.
If you have made changes to your enrolment before the enrolment deadline, it is possible that there have been additional charges added to your account that StudyLink are not aware of.
A Verification of Study is sent to the University. The process for this request is an automated process that takes place overnight. This means that if StudyLink sends a Verification of Study request to the University today, we will receive it in the morning of the next working day. We generally respond to requests the same day that they are received.

It is important to remember that you are responsible for ensuring your fees are paid on time, including payment via StudyLink.

Student loans and allowances are offered by StudyLink.

For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit StudyLink's Apply online page.

There are instructions for both first-time applicants and returning applicants.

Applying for your student loan/allowance

First time applications

Before applying, make sure that you check your eligibility for Fees Free Study by visiting Fees Free’s Are you thinking about starting tertiary education? page.

Make sure you apply for your student loan/allowance by 16 December to ensure your loan is approved before the fees due date.

When applying for a student loan for the first time, you need to fill out the hardcopy StudyLink application and sign the contract provided by StudyLink, as a signature is required. Thereafter, you can accept future StudyLink contracts online via MyStudylink.

For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit StudyLink's Apply online for first-time students page.

Returning applications

If you are re-applying for your student loan/allowance, please make sure to apply before the application closing date, 16 December. If you are applying as a returning applicant, you can accept future StudyLink contracts online via MyStudylink.

Your application may be assessed in a shorter amount of time as a returning student loan/allowance applicant.

For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit StudyLink's Completing a returning application.

MyStudyLink

To receive regular updates from StudyLink, you may want to register for  MyStudyLink. 

MyStudyLink is StudyLink's online service that allows you to view your applications whenever you want. It is usually quicker to check your details this way.

This gives you an opportunity to keep tabs and receive up to date information on your student loan or allowance application. 

For more information, please see MyStudyLink.

Requesting StudyLink to pay your fees

If you do not tick the box Pay My Fees on your application form, StudyLink are unable to request your course and fees information from the University. This delays the payment of your fees.

Your fees are due on the first day of the semester for your courses or on the day you enrolled (whichever is later). If you don't pay your fees on time, you may be liable for a Late Payment Fee of NZ$120.00. This fee cannot be paid for by StudyLink.

It is your responsibility to make sure your fees are paid on time.

To check the status of your loan application or StudyLink payment, please visit StudyLink's contact us page.

Checking the status of your loan application

If you have applied already, you can keep up to date on your application’s assessment through your RealMe account.

If you don’t have a RealMe account and applied for your student loan, please contact StudyLink.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply?

You should apply for your student loan or student allowance at least two months before your study starts. This is to ensure that your loan is approved by the due date for your fees.

For more information, please see Fees due date.

If you apply during their busy period in mid-December to March, your application could take longer to be processed.

For more information about the processing time for your loan, please use StudyLink's contact us page.

How long does a loan application take?

Your student loan application will take a minimum of four weeks to be approved and paid.

If you are apply during their busy period in mid-December to March, your application could take longer to be processed.

For more information about the processing time for your loan, please use StudyLink's contact us page.

What if my student loan application is taking longer than four weeks to be processed?

If your student loan application is taking longer than four weeks, you should contact StudyLink directly.

If you have not heard anything from StudyLink, there is a strong possibility that something is causing a delay in the assessment of your application.

You may need to provide additional information to support your application.

For more information about the processing time for your loan, please visit StudyLink's contact us page.

What do I do if my fees are due before my StudyLink application has been approved?

If you find yourself in a situation where your fees will be due for payment before your StudyLink loan has been approved, please visit Troubleshooting your student loan or allowance application.

What do I need to do if I have been approved for a student loan?

If you are eligible for StudyLink funding and have applied for and had approved a StudyLink loan for the period of the outstanding fees, we will be advised by StudyLink that you have an active loan.

Once your loan application has been approved by StudyLink, they will issue you a Loan Entitlement Advice letter (LEA). This will state your entitlements under the Student Loan Scheme and the date your fee payment will be released to the University.

Fees payments are normally made 10 days after the date the LEA letter is issued. The earliest payment will be released is 2 weeks before your study start date, as stated on your loan application.

You can also see when payments are due to be released through your RealMe login.

You do not need to do anything further at this time.

What documents should I provide?

You will need to provide documents to support your student loan or allowance application before it can be finalised. For student allowances, this can include:

Evidence of your own income
If you are under 24, evidence of both your parents' incomes

If information that StudyLink require from you is missing, there will be delays in processing your application, and payment of your fees may not be made by the due date.

Please ensure you supply all of the required evidence such as, but not limited to:

Your birth certificate
IRD number
Passport

More information is available on the StudyLink website Documents supporting your application.

What are the repayments required for student?