How much you can get depends on:

Criteria for 16-17 year olds if you are studying at teritary level

You can get a Student Allowance if you have:

• completed Year 13 or 
• passed your Bursary exams (with three 'C' grades or better)
• or got NCEA level 3 (with 42 credits).
• obtained admission by equivalent status in a full-time tertiary course at level 3 or higher
• obtained discretionary or provisional entrance in a full-time tertiary course at level 3 or higher (your course entry requirements must be equivalent to or greater than the Student Allowance qualifying criteria listed above).

If you were home schooled and do not meet any of the above criteria you may qualify for Student Allowance if you can provide evidence that you obtained at least 42 credits at level 4 or above on the NQF.

Additional criteria if you're studying at secondary school

If you are under 18, 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.

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 on 0800 559 009 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