The Application Process
An overview of the steps involved in the application process when applying for Student Allowance, Student Loan, Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship and other financial assistance online.
Before you apply, check what other kinds of financial support you may be eligible for.
Check out what documents you may need to provide with your application.
Seven Steps to your Student Finances
STEP 1 - Apply at www.studylink.govt.nz for your financial assistance
STEP 2 - We will start processing your application
We'll check the information you give us and get things underway.
You don't need to do anything at this point unless you hear from us.
STEP 3 - We will contact you
You'll receive a letter telling you what we need next. Make sure you read it, sign and return it (if required) and send us any documents we ask for.
STEP 4 - Use MyStudyLink to track your application:
check your Student Allowance and Student Loan status online
view and accept your Student Loan Contract
view and update your personal details
apply for your course-related costs
get your mail online.
Please note: MyStudyLink only displays payments and information relating to Student Loan, Student Allowance and scholarships.
STEP 5 - We check your details with your education provider
You need to make sure you're fully enrolled before this can happen.
STEP 6 - We will finish processing your application
We will send you a letter letting you know what you qualify for and when your payments will start.
STEP 7 - Your payments can start
The earliest your payments can start is in the second week of your course. This is because we make payments in arrears.
Remember: If you have applied for Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship, we'll write to you soon to let you know what happens next. You need to allow enough time for all seven steps to be completed, so apply as soon as you can. If you don't apply on time or don't give us all the information we need, we can't pay you on time.
