Help with study costs if you are on a benefit

Away from Home Allowance

The Away from Home Allowance helps parents with the extra costs of supporting students aged 16 to 17 who don't qualify for the Student Allowance, and live away from home to study on a tertiary or training course.

How much parents can get depends on where the student lives, how much costs are, and how much the parents earn (parents must qualify for Family Tax Credits for the student).

For more details call Work and Income on 0800 55 90 09.

Training Incentive Allowance

If you get the Domestic Purposes, Widows or Invalids Benefit, or Emergency Maintenance Allowance from Work and Income, you may be able to get the Training Incentive Allowance to help with your study costs.

If you're on the Domestic Purposes Benefit or the Widows Benefit your course needs to be consistent with the employment goals set out in your Personal Development and Employment Plan. It must also be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

How much you can get depends on your costs and the length of your course. The fees are paid straight to the people providing the training. Payment for other costs is made to you with your benefit.

For more details call Work and Income on 0800 55 90 09.

Training Incentive Allowance and the Student Loan

The Training Incentive Allownace may affect the amount you can borrow for compulsory fees and course-related costs, depending on what your Training Incentive Allowance is used for.

The amount you can borrow goes down by the amount of Training Incentive Allowance you get (not including any Training Incentive Allowance you get for childcare, transport or disability-related costs).

You can't get a loan for living costs if you get a Training Incentive Allowance because you already get help with your living costs as part of your benefit.

Other Work and Income assistance

If you need any of the above assistance or need to talk to Work and Income call on 0800 55 90 09.