A Student Allowance is a weekly payment from StudyLink to help with living costs while you study. Unlike a student loan, you don't pay it back. The rates went up on 1 April 2026, in line with a 3.11% rise in the cost of living.
Student Allowance rates from 1 April 2026
These are the weekly maximums StudyLink publishes. The after-tax figure uses tax code M. Your income, and your parents' or partner's income, can reduce them.
Single, no children
| Your situation | Before tax | After tax (M) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24, living with a parent | $321.64 | $286.35 |
| Under 24, not living with a parent | $378.64 | $333.38 |
| Independent Circumstances Allowance | $378.64 | $333.38 |
| 24 or over, living with a parent | $367.25 | $323.98 |
| 24 or over, not living with a parent | $435.67 | $380.43 |
"Living with a parent" means in a place your parent owns or pays for.
Single, with children
| Your situation | Before tax | After tax (M) |
|---|---|---|
| Sole parent, 1 or more children | $624.21 | $535.97 |
With a partner, combined income $569.40 a week or less
| Your situation | No children | With children |
|---|---|---|
| Partner not studying (or studying half time or less) | $779.99 | $820.69 |
| Partner studying but not eligible for the allowance | $435.67 | $624.21 |
| Partner eligible but not getting the allowance | $378.64 | $419.33 |
| Both getting the allowance (each) | $378.64 | $399.01 |
These are before-tax figures. After tax at M, they range from $333.38 to $698.07.
With a partner, combined income $569.40 to $1,185.75 a week
| Your situation | Before tax | After tax (M) |
|---|---|---|
| No children, living with partner | $221.14 | $197.92 |
| No children, not living with partner | $276.89 | $247.82 |
| With children, living with partner, partner not getting the allowance | $258.65 | $231.49 |
| With children, not living with partner, partner not getting the allowance | $318.40 | $283.68 |
| With children, living with partner, both getting the allowance (each) | $239.91 | $214.72 |
| With children, not living with partner, both getting the allowance (each) | $296.66 | $265.51 |
If your combined income is $1,185.75 a week or more, you can't get a Student Allowance.
Student loan living costs for comparison
If you can't get an allowance, you can borrow for living costs on your student loan. The maximum is $333.48 a week from 1 April 2026. You have to pay it back, but it's interest-free while you live in New Zealand.
You can't get the full amount of both. If you get an allowance, your living costs payment drops by the amount of the allowance. StudyLink's example: living costs of $333.48 and an allowance of $200 leaves living costs of $133.48. See NZ tax brackets for how student loan repayments work once you're earning.
The parental income test
If you're under 24 and have no children, StudyLink looks at your parents' income. This applies whether or not you have a partner.
For two parents, StudyLink uses their joint earnings:
- Over $72,108.92 a year before tax, your allowance starts to reduce.
- Over $131,670.35, you can't get an allowance if you live with them.
- Over $141,451.55, you can't get an allowance if you live away from them.
Their earnings are reduced by $7,000 a year for each other full-time student aged 16 to 23 they support. They're reduced by $3,400 if your parents live in separate houses. Your parents fill in a Parents' form and send income evidence.
Different rules apply if you have one parent or no relationship with your parents. Once you turn 24, or if you have a child, your parents' income no longer counts.
Your own income
You can earn up to $284.70 a week before tax without it affecting your allowance. After that, your allowance drops dollar for dollar. Tell StudyLink about your income by the Sunday of the week you earn it.
If you're 24 or over or have a child, your partner's income counts too.
Who can get a Student Allowance
- Most students must be 18 to 65 and study full time. Some 16 and 17-year-olds and part-time students qualify.
- You must be a New Zealand citizen, or ordinarily resident here with at least 3 years living in New Zealand and 3 years on a residence class visa.
- Your course must be approved, and generally at level 7 or below, or a bachelor's degree with honours.
- If you've had an allowance before, you must meet the pass rules and not have used up your weeks.
You can't get it if you're on a benefit you can keep while studying, or if you or your partner get NZ Super or Veteran's Pension.
If you get an allowance, you may also get the Accommodation Benefit. StudyLink checks this when you apply. Students on an allowance can't get the Accommodation Supplement.
How to apply through StudyLink
- Apply online through StudyLink. If you've had an allowance in the last 12 months, apply in your MyStudyLink account.
- Send any documents StudyLink asks for, including your parents' form if you're under 24.
- StudyLink confirms your enrolment with your education provider. You must be fully enrolled.
Apply as early as you can, even before you've picked a course. If you apply after your course starts, StudyLink only pays from the date you applied. You need to reapply each year you study.
Payments are made a week in arrears, so your first payment arrives in the second week of your course. You'll need an IRD number. Here's how to get an IRD number.
Common questions
How much is the Student Allowance a week?
From 1 April 2026, up to $378.64 before tax ($333.38 after tax) for a single student under 24 living away from home. A student 24 or over living away from home gets up to $435.67 before tax.
When do Student Allowance rates go up?
Every year on 1 April, in line with the Consumers Price Index.
Do I have to pay the Student Allowance back?
No. Student loan living costs must be paid back. The allowance doesn't.
Can I work and get a Student Allowance?
Yes. You can earn up to $284.70 a week before tax. Above that, your allowance reduces dollar for dollar.
What is the parental income limit for the Student Allowance?
For two parents, the allowance starts reducing above $72,108.92 of joint earnings. It stops at $131,670.35 if you live with them, or $141,451.55 if you don't.
Sources: StudyLink, Student Allowance rates, Changes to payments from 1 April 2026, Student Allowance, Student Allowance when you have 2 parents, How income affects Student Allowance and Student Loan living costs; Work and Income, Accommodation Supplement qualifications; Inland Revenue, Student loan interest and fees. Checked October 2026.
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