Review and appeal process
What to do if you don't agree with a decision that we make about your student finance, and the appeal and review process.
On this page:
How to request for a decision to be reviewed
If you would like us to review a decision that we have made about your student finances, talk to us first - this is often the quickest way to resolve things.
If we can't resolve things for you, you'll need to follow a standard process and apply for a Review of Decision.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Have a Student Allowance decision reviewed
If you disagree with a decision we make about your Student Allowance you can request a review by completing an application form, or by writing and telling us:
- what decision you disagree with
- why you disagree with the decision
- how you think the issue can best be resolved
- anything else you think we should know.
If you would like to request a review you can complete the application form below and post it to us at:
StudyLink Centre
Freepost 113907
Private Bag 11070
Palmerston North 4442
Timeline
We need to get your request for a review within three months of the date you were told of the original decision.
We'll let you know when we've received your request.
We'll contact you about the decision within three weeks.
If we agree with you, we'll put things right. If we disagree, we'll try to contact you to talk to you about what happens next.
The two types of reviews
There are two different review processes. One is a statutory review for decisions which are reviewable under Section 305 of the Education Act 1989. The other is an administrative review for decisions which are not covered by the statutory review process.
If you request a review of decision, we'll let you know which review process applies to you and the reason why, before your review is finalised.
Statutory Review
For a statutory review, you can choose to have your decision reviewed by:
- the Secretary or
- a Student Allowance Review Panel
The Secretary is a person within StudyLink who has authority to make the decision on Student Allowance reviews of decision.
A Student Allowance Review Panel is made up of the Secretary, a Ministry of Social Development advisor and an advisor from the New Zealand Union of Students' Association. The two advisors do not take part in the final decision making. They are there to provide advice to the Secretary, who makes the final decision.
If your application is a statutory review, we'll try to contact you to talk about what happens next. If you choose to have the decision reviewed by a Student Allowance Review Panel we'll send your application and a report to them.
If you disagree with the Secretary's decision, you can appeal to the Student Allowance Appeal Authority. If you want to appeal, you'll need to do it within 21 days of the decision.
To appeal write to:
The Secretary
Student Allowance Appeal Authority
Tribunals unit Ministry of Justice
Private Bag 32001
Wellington 6146
Administrative Review
For an administrative review there are no further appeal rights, however you can discuss the outcome of the administrative review with us if you disagree with the result.
If you would like help with your review, you can contact a student advocate or support person to assist you.
If you have any questions about the review process call us on 0800 88 99 00.
Note: If the decision is to do with your Student Loan balance or scholarship, don't complete the Review of Decision form - see the process below.
What to do if you don't agree with your Student Loan account balance
Student Loan query process
If you disagree with any decision made on your Student Loan during the year contact us. Our staff will be happy to help you.
Final Student Loan statement objection process
If you disagree with your balance on your final Student Loan statement contact us.
If you still believe your balance is incorrect, you can formally object by writing to us. Your letter must reach us within one month of the date on your final Student Loan statement letter. You need to write to the Student Loan Manager and tell them:
- what you want them to look at
- why you think the details are wrong
- how you think the issue can best be resolved
- anything else you think the Student Loan Manager should know.
We'll let you know when we've received your letter. The Student Loan Manager will investigate your case and write back with a formal ruling.
Note: the Student Loan account which is being disputed will not be transferred to Inland Revenue until the dispute is resolved.
If you still disagree with that decision you can write to the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development. You can also appeal to the Disputes Tribunal or District Court.
We send you more details about the disputes process with your final loan statement.
Your Student Loan is subject to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance (Student Loan Contract exemption) Regulations 2010. The Commerce Commission is responsible for enforcing those Regulations. If you wish to report a breach, you can call the Commerce Commission on freephone 0800 94 36 00.
Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship and supplementary financial assistance
If you disagree with a decision we make about your Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship, or other assistance (such as Accommodation Supplement), you can request a review by completing an application form or by writing and telling us:
- what decision you disagree with
- why you disagree with the decision
- how you think the issue can best be resolved
- anything else you think we should know.
We need to receive your request for a review within three months of the date you were told of the original decision.
We'll let you know when we've received your request, and we'll contact you about the decision within two weeks.
If we agree with you, we'll put things right. If we disagree, we'll try to contact you to talk to you about what happens next.
