Supporting New Zealanders studying overseas *NEW UPDATE 30/09/2016*

On the 19 July Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce announced the International Connections for New Zealanders package, which is designed to help grow the number of students who study overseas while ensuring that the benefits are maximised for New Zealand taxpayers.

This package includes changes to the eligibility requirements for Student Support for Tertiary students starting study overseas on or after 1 January 2017.

Further details on this policy have now been confirmed.

Changes to student support for study at an overseas campus or delivery sites of a New Zealand provider

For study starting on or after 1 January 2017, there will be changes to student support for students who are studying at an overseas campus or delivery site of a New Zealand provider.

These students will need to be studying:

• in regions the Government wishes to expand its commercial and social linkages
• level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework
• full time and not extramurally.

Changes for New Zealand Permanent Residents (NZPRs)

Tuition subsidy funding is now available to New Zealand Permanent Residents studying outside New Zealand as part of their New Zealand Qualification (studying overseas).

For study starting on or after 1 January 2017, eligibility for tuition subsidy funding and student support for NZPRs while they are studying part of their New Zealand qualification overseas (including at an overseas campus or delivery site of a NZ TEO) will be targeted.

For study starting on or after 1 January 2017, a NZPR will not be eligible for student loan and allowances for overseas study as part of a New Zealand qualification if:

• in the last 5 years, they have spent more than 6 months (26 weeks) in the country they are going to study in
• they are overseas studying extramurally.

Information of tuition subsidy change will made available on the TEC website in due course.

Note: A New Zealand Permanent Resident, includes those who hold a Residence Class visa which gives them the right to reside in New Zealand and includes refugees and protected persons

Changes to the student loan interest exemption for full-time study overseas

The Government is extending the student loan full-time study interest exemption to the recipients (and eligible partners) of Government-funded scholarships studying overseas or on an internship (to be implemented from the date of enactment and apply to all those who go overseas after this date).