How to apply for a student loan or allowance
Find out how you can apply for a student loan and allowance.
Useful things to know about your student loan or allowance
- If you're studying in 2025, 16 December is a very important date. It's one you just can't miss. Apply for your student allowance or loan before 16 December to give yourself the best chance of having everything sorted ready for the start of your course.
- There can be a delay of at least 2 weeks from when StudyLink asks the University to confirm your enrolment and fee information and when they release the fees payment.
- The University is limited in what information we are allowed to provide to StudyLink about you without your permission, and we cannot include information about your fees unless StudyLink specifically requests this information. The sharing of information is dependent on the selections that you made on your student loan application with StudyLink.
- The University makes every attempt to provide updated information to StudyLink.
- If you have made changes to your enrolment before the enrolment deadline, it is possible that there have been additional charges added to your account that StudyLink are not aware of.
- A Verification of Study is sent to the University. The process for this request is an automated process that takes place overnight. This means that if StudyLink sends a Verification of Study request to the University today, we will receive it in the morning of the next working day. We generally respond to requests the same day that they are received.
It is important to remember that you are responsible for ensuring your fees are paid on time, including payment via StudyLink.
Student loans and allowances are offered by StudyLink.
For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit StudyLink's Apply online page.
There are instructions for both first-time applicants and returning applicants.
Applying for your student loan/allowance
First time applications
Before applying, make sure that you check your eligibility for Fees Free Study by visiting the Tertiary Education Commision's Fees Free page.
Make sure you apply for your student loan/allowance by 16 December to ensure your loan is approved before the fees due date.
When applying for a student loan for the first time, you need to fill out the hardcopy StudyLink application and sign the contract provided by StudyLink, as a signature is required. Thereafter, you can accept future StudyLink contracts online via MyStudylink.
For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit StudyLink's Apply online for first-time students page.
Returning applications
If you are re-applying for your student loan/allowance, please make sure to apply at least two months before your study starts. As a returning applicant, you can accept future StudyLink contracts online via MyStudylink.
Your application may be assessed in a shorter amount of time as a returning student loan/allowance applicant.
For a step-by-step guide to the student loan and allowance application process, please visit Apply online for returning students.
MyStudyLink
To receive regular updates from StudyLink, you may want to register for MyStudyLink.
MyStudyLink is StudyLink's online service that allows you to view your applications whenever you want. It is usually quicker to check your details this way.
This gives you an opportunity to keep tabs and receive up to date information on your student loan or allowance application.
For more information, please see MyStudyLink.
Requesting StudyLink to pay your fees
If you do not tick the box Pay My Fees on your application form, StudyLink is unable to request your course and fees information from the University. This delays the payment of your fees.
Your fees are due on the first day of the semester for your courses or on the day you enrolled (whichever is later).
Whether it is through StudyLink or other means, it is your responsibility to ensure that your fees are paid on time.
If you do not pay your fees on time, you may be liable for a Late Payment Fee of NZ$120.00. Late Payment fees cannot be paid for by StudyLink.
To check the status of your loan application or StudyLink payment, please visit StudyLink's contact us page.
Checking the status of your loan application
If you have applied already, you can keep up to date on your application’s assessment through your RealMe account.
If you don’t have a RealMe account and applied for your student loan, please contact StudyLink.