Student Allowance Calculator

This calculator gives you a rough estimate of your weekly student allowance in New Zealand, based on how the parental income test and abatement rules reduce the payment as income rises. The student allowance is a non-repayable weekly payment from StudyLink, but for younger students without dependants it is tested against combined parental income, and your own income above a weekly limit can reduce it further. You enter the full weekly allowance rate, your combined parental income, the parental income threshold that applies, and the abatement rate in cents per dollar over that threshold. The calculator then works out your estimated weekly allowance, an approximate yearly figure based on standard study weeks, and how much the reduction from parental income is costing you. If parental income sits below the threshold, you receive the full rate; the further above it, the more the allowance abates, down to zero. Because the real assessment also considers your age, living situation, dependants and relationship status, and the rates and thresholds change each year, use the current figures from StudyLink rather than the defaults shown here. Treat the result as a planning estimate to help you budget for study, not as confirmation of entitlement. Only StudyLink can confirm your actual weekly allowance once you apply and provide your full circumstances.

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A simplified estimate using thresholds you enter; the real test depends on your age, living situation, dependants and the current StudyLink rates. Enter the current figures from StudyLink for accuracy. Estimate only, not an entitlement.