Apply now to get sorted

Narrator [00:00:01:08]: If you're applying for a student allowance or loan for the first time, there's a bit of information we need. It can seem a lot, but if you have it handy when starting your application, it will make it a bit easier. Okay, let's get into it. You'll need your bank account details, your IRD number, and your email address for starters.

[Words on screen – Bank details, IRD number, email address, study dates, Parents’ income]

Narrator [00:00:21:00]: It's best to use a personal email address, not your school one. And if you're under 24, you'll need to know your parents’ income so we can check if you're able to get a Student Allowance. You'll also need the details of where you're planning to study.

[Image of an email icon and a laptop showing an email inbox. [Images of students – words onscreen – Under 24? Images of different university brochures]

Staff member [00:00:34:19]: It's okay if you're not 100% sure yet, just tell us where you might go. If it changes, we can update your application later.

[Staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:41:19]: You'll need to put in your course start and end dates. It's okay to keep approximate dates. When it's closer to when your study starts, we get in touch with where you are studying and confirm the start and end dates with them.

[Image of the StudyLink website page where you enter your information]

Staff member [00:00:54:04]: Before you apply, it's good to have your RealMe login sorted.

[Staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:58:05]: Okay, if you have all the info ready, you can start the application. When your application has been sent to us, we’ll check it. Then we'll let you know what your next steps are and what documents you need to provide. There's a list on our website of all the documents you might need. You can find this in the help with Applying Online section. But you don't need to send us anything until we let you know what we need for your application.

[Image on screen of the ‘Help with applying online’ website page]

Narrator [00:00:00:21]: We know there's a lot to think about when you're starting tertiary study. A big one is how you're going to pay for it. Since you're watching this video, you've figured out that you are going to apply for an allowance loan or both. We've been told it can be full on doing the online application. It's okay if you don't get the entire application finished in one go. You can save it and come back to it later.

[Words on screen – Student halls, course dates, finding a flat, Food, Money, Flatmates, Fees, Leaving home. Words on screen – Student Allowance, Student Loan. Images on screen of students, and words on screen ‘It’s OK’]

Staff member [00:00:23:14]: And you don't need to have it all figured out, we can change it or update it later on.

[staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:27:21]: It's just important that you don't leave it to the last minute, because it can take a bit of time to sort it. When you apply, we need to make sure you are who you say you are. You can do this by using a RealMe login.

[Word on screen showing the process – Real me login, Eligibility test, Application, Supporting documents, Application outcome. Image on screen of a Real Me logo]

Staff member [00:00:40:09]: Before you start the application, make sure you have that RealMe login set up.

[staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:44:13]: The first part of the application is an eligibility test. This is to make sure that you don't miss out on anything else you can apply for.

[Words on screen – Eligibility Test]

Student [00:00:51:24]: I really wouldn't trust my phone, like if anything went wrong or it reloaded, and I had to start that process again. Something I would definitely recommend doing on a computer.

[Student talking to camera]

Narrator [00:01:01:18]: If you're not sure how to answer something, there is a handy help link above each question.

[Image on screen of a computer screen showing the help links on the application website page]

Staff member [00:01:06:22]: Also you might want to take a look at this. The ‘Help with applying online’ page will help you answer some of those questions you’re not sure about.

[staff member talking to camera and pointing to the screen]

Narrator [00:01:14:14]: If you're applying for the first time and are under 24, you'll need to know what your parents income is. You can check out the parents’ income limits on our website. Once you have completed the eligibility test, you can then select what you want to apply for. Depending on what you're applying for. There may be some extra questions you need to answer.

Staff member [00:01:34:18]: Your answers are transferred automatically into the application form.

[staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:01:38:21]: Okay, to wrap this up, here are some reminders. Have a RealMe login set up, save your application as you go, and if you need to, you can save a partly completed application and come back to it later. When you've done, hit submit and we'll be in touch.

[Words on screen reflecting what the narrator is saying]

Staff member [00:01:56:13]: Check out our website, there's heaps of information on there to help you with your application.

[Staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:01:10]: Just applied for a student allowance or loan? You're probably wondering what's next. Let's fill you in. Once we've processed all your info, we'll be in touch if we need anything more from you, and to let you know what to do next. If you applied for a Student Loan, we'll also send you your loan contract. You will need to have a good read of this contract.

[Words on screen: Student allowance, Student Loan, followed by a question mark. [Words on screen: ‘Once we have processed all your info – we’ll be in touch. Background image of a stack of papers, with ‘contract’ written on screen]

Narrator [00:00:22:13]: Once you've done that, sign it, and then send it back to us. The best way to send your documents to us is to scan them and upload them online using Connect. Log in to Connect using your RealMe login, then upload your scanned documents. Your documents need to be verified.

[image of a close up hand with a pen signing a piece of paper. Image of a staff member holding their hand up and words on screen show the Connect logo. Image of a laptop showing the RealMe login, and then pages from the StudyLink website]

Staff member [00:00:40:23]: You can find out more about getting your original documents verified on our StudyLink website.

[Staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:00:46:24]: Once you’ve sent all your info and you’re set up in our system, you can check your application using MyStudyLink. MyStudyLink is where you can manage all your information, and you'll be able to see if we've received documents you've sent us, your application status, what else we might need from you, and you can also update your personal information. Once your application has been approved, you can then check when your payments start and how much they'll be.

[Image on screen of a laptop showing an email in box notifying that you have access to MyStudyLink. Images on screen of a laptop showing MyStudyLink access via the StudyLink website, and scrolling around to show more about what’s in that section of the website]

Staff member [00:01:14:16]: Lots of people call us asking, what's happening with my application? It does take us a bit of time to get it sorted, but MyStudyLink will have the most up to date information.

[StudyLink staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:01:25:22]: If you're not sure what the application status in MyStudyLink means, there's a full list on our website. The last step in our process is confirming your study details with your course provider. Most providers can't confirm this until about six weeks before your course starts. So please, sit tight, keep an eye on MyStudyLink and we'll keep you updated.

[Images on screen of a laptop the StudyLink website, and scrolling through the Application Status page on the website. Images on screen of a calendar highlighting up to six weeks]

Staff member [00:01:48:06]: Another question we get asked a lot is, when will I get my first payment?

[Staff member talking to camera]

Narrator [00:01:52:11]: Payments are made a week in arrears, so the earliest payments can start once everything is approved is the second week of your course. For your course related costs, the earliest we can pay this is 14 days before your course starts.

[Text on screen shows words 2 WEEKS, followed by 14 DAYS]