StudyLink Student Allowance Eligibility Calculator NZ 2026

This calculator gives you a quick read on whether you are likely to qualify for a StudyLink Student Allowance in New Zealand and an indicative idea of the weekly amount, so you know what to expect before you apply. The Student Allowance is a weekly payment to help with living costs while you study full-time, and unlike the student loan living-cost component, it does not have to be paid back. The catch is that eligibility has several tests that trip people up, and the rules differ sharply by age. You generally need to be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who meets the residency criteria, studying full-time on an approved course, and aged 18 or over, with limited provision for 16 and 17 year olds. The biggest factor for younger students is the parental income test: if you are under 24 and do not have a partner or supported children, your parents' combined income determines whether you get the full allowance, a reduced amount, or nothing, with the payment reducing as parental income rises. If you are 24 or over, or have a partner or children, the test shifts to your own and your partner's income instead. You answer a few questions about your age, study load, residency and income, and this tool indicates whether you are likely eligible and gives an indicative weekly figure. Importantly, StudyLink makes the actual assessment, allowance rates and income thresholds change every year, and many situations have special rules, so treat this as a guide to point you in the right direction. Always apply through StudyLink and check the current rates, as the real entitlement may differ from the indication here.

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indicative eligibility
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Indicative only. StudyLink makes the actual assessment, and rates and thresholds change every year. Always apply and check current figures.

How it works

First the basic tests are checked: you must be studying full-time on an approved course and meet the residency criteria. If you are under 24 without a partner or children, your parents' combined income is tested, with the allowance reducing as income rises above an indicative threshold and phasing out at a higher one. If you are 24 or over, or have a partner or children, the parental test does not apply and entitlement depends on your own and your partner's income.

Worked example

A 20 year old studying full-time, who is a permanent resident with no partner or children and whose parents earn $70,000 combined, sits just above the indicative full-allowance threshold, so they would likely receive a reduced allowance. If their parents earned under about $60,000 they would likely get the full indicative rate; above roughly $120,000, likely nothing.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for a Student Allowance in NZ?

Generally a full-time student on an approved course who is a New Zealand citizen or meets the permanent residency criteria and is 18 or over. Under-24s without a partner or children are subject to a parental income test, while older students are tested on their own income.

How does the parental income test work?

For most under-24 students, the allowance reduces as parents' combined income rises above a threshold and cuts out at a higher one. The exact thresholds change each year, so this tool gives an indication only and StudyLink calculates the actual amount.

Is the Student Allowance the same as the living-cost loan?

No. The allowance is a weekly payment you do not repay, subject to income tests. The student loan living-cost component is borrowed money you must repay. Many students use one or the other; the allowance is preferable where you qualify.