Already applied? Here's what happens next
05 February 2026.
Nice! Your application is getting processed. To keep things moving make sure you have also sent us all the information and documents we need.
View transcript of 'What's next after I've applied for a student loan or allowance?' video
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]
What happens next
We’ll get in touch if we need anything else to progress your application – either by letter or email.
Once you’re able to get into MyStudyLink, you can keep up to date with how your application is progressing. It will show you any steps we need you to complete, and detail about how to do it.
When payments start
Once your application has been approved, here's when your payments will start:
- for weekly payments, the second week of your course. This is because student allowance and loan living costs are paid one week in arrears.
- for course-related costs, 14 days before your course starts.
It's a busy time of the year for StudyLink – about 150,000 people will apply for allowances and loans for 2026. That's a lot of applications, supporting documents and study details to work through.
Thanks for your patience while we work to get everything sorted as quickly as we can.
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