Student Allowance Calculator

The Student Allowance is a weekly payment provided by StudyLink (part of the Ministry of Social Development) to eligible full-time students in New Zealand to help with living costs while studying. Unlike the Student Loan, the Student Allowance does not need to be repaid — it is effectively a grant. The allowance is means-tested based on the student's personal income, relationship status, and (for students under 24) their parents' income. Students who do not qualify for the Student Allowance may instead be eligible for a Living Costs component through their Student Loan. The Student Allowance is available for students enrolled in an approved tertiary programme at a New Zealand institution, studying for at least 32 weeks per year. Students can also work part-time while receiving the allowance, subject to income thresholds. Source: StudyLink — Student Allowance (studylink.govt.nz).

To be eligible for the Student Allowance in New Zealand you must meet several criteria. You must be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or certain visa holders. You must be enrolled full-time in an approved tertiary qualification at a New Zealand institution for at least 32 weeks in the year. You must be 18 or older (or 16–17 if you are independent from your parents). Your personal income must be below the income threshold (currently $284.70 per week before tax for single students). If you are under 24 and single with no dependent children, a parental income test also applies — your parents' combined income must be below approximately $72,108.92 per year after tax to receive the full allowance, with a reduced rate for incomes between that threshold and around $131,670.35. Students aged 24 or over, or those with dependent children or in a relationship, are not subject to the parental income test. Source: StudyLink NZ (studylink.govt.nz).

From 1 April 2026, the maximum Student Allowance rates in New Zealand (before tax) are: $435.67 per week for students aged 24 and over who live away from home; $367.25 per week for students aged 24 and over who live at home with their parents; $378.64 per week for students under 24 who live away from home and are independent; and lower rates for younger dependent students. After tax, these equal $380.43, $323.98 and $333.38 per week respectively. These rates are adjusted periodically by the government, typically in line with wage inflation. Students receiving the Student Allowance are also eligible to borrow from the Student Loan scheme for course fees and additional living costs if needed. The Student Allowance is taxable income, so PAYE is deducted at the applicable rate. You can apply online through StudyLink's website and must reapply each year of study. Source: StudyLink NZ — Student Allowance Rates (studylink.govt.nz).

For students under the age of 24 who are single and have no dependent children, the Student Allowance parental income test assesses how much of the allowance they can receive based on their parents' combined income before tax. If both parents' combined before-tax income is $72,108.92 per year or less, the student may receive the maximum rate. Above this threshold, the allowance is gradually reduced — for every dollar of parental income above the threshold, the student's weekly allowance reduces by a small amount. Once parental income exceeds approximately $131,670.35 (before tax), the student becomes ineligible for the Student Allowance but may still borrow Living Costs through the Student Loan. To qualify as independent from the parental test, a student must be 24 or older, be married or in a civil union, have a dependent child, or have been financially independent for at least two years prior to their study. StudyLink calculates this automatically during the application process. Source: StudyLink NZ (studylink.govt.nz).