Student Allowance for 16-17 year olds

How much you can get depends on:

Criteria if you're studying at tertiary level

 

If you attended Secondary School

You may get a Student Allowance if you have:

• completed Year 13 or

if you haven't completed year 13, you must have obtained:

• attained 42 credits or more at NCEA level 3,
• obtained admission into a full-time teritary course which has an academic entry requirement of 42 or more credits at NCEA level 3.

 

If you were Homeschooled

You may get a Student Allowance if you have:

• attained 42 credits or more at NCEA level 3 or
• attained 42 credits or more at level 4 on the National Qualifactions Framework.

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Criteria if you're studying at secondary school

You can get the Student Allowance if you are studying full-time at a secondary school and you have a partner and children in your care.

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If you do not meet the criteria

If you have special circumstances and neither of your parents support you, you may qualify for the Independent Circumstances Allowance.

 

Contact Work and Income if you are:

• A secondary school student aged 16-17, you live away from your parents, but are not eligible foran Independent Circumstances Allowance (see above). You may qualify for an Independent Youth Benefit
• A sole parent. You may qualify for an Emergency Maintenance Allowance
• Not eligible for the Student Allowance. Your parents may be able to get the Away from Home Allowance if you live away from home to study

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