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In study
What you need to do when you're studying and getting money from us.
If you're studying, there are a few things you need to know, for example:
- you must tell us about any changes
- how to claim course-related costs
- what happens if you're in a certain situation, like taking a study break or going to summer school
- what help you can get for urgent costs
- how we can help you manage your debt
- your rights and responsibilities for certain payments.
If you get payments from us, you need to keep us up-to-date with any changes that might affect what you're entitled to or how much you get paid.
This could be changes to your:
- name, address or contact details
- age (if you're turning 18, 24, 40, 55 or 65)
- bank account
- dependent children
- relationship status, or
- tax code.
You also need to tell us if you're working or going overseas.
It's important to tell us so you get paid the right amount.
If you get payments from us, you need to let us know about any changes to your study details, as it could affect what you're entitled to or how much you get paid.
You could be:
- changing study dates
- dropping or picking up papers
- changing your course or programme
- extending your study
- transferring to another education provider, or
- withdrawing from study.
If you get a Childcare or OSCAR Subsidy, you need to tell us straight away if something changes in your life as it can affect how much childcare we pay.
For example;
- change in hours
- absences
- child moves providers
- child starts or stops 20 Hours ECE
- child no longer in your care.
You also need to confirm that you want to continue your:
- pre-school childcare every year
- before, after school or holiday care every term.
If you or your partner get any income, regardless of how much it is, you need to tell us straight away as it could affect your payments.
Course-related costs are part of a Student Loan.
You can claim them at any stage during your study if you're studying full-time.
If you're studying full-time, you can change the amount you get for living costs, as part of your Student Loan, at any stage during your study.
If you have a break in your study of 3 weeks or less, your Student Loan and Student Allowance payments may continue.
If you have a break in your study of more than 3 weeks, your Student Loan and Student Allowance payments may stop. You may be able to get the Jobseeker Support Student Hardship instead.
If you're studying at summer school (third trimester), you may be able to get a Student Allowance or Student Loan.
If you're doing unpaid practical work or full-time research or field work, we may be able to extend your Student Loan and Student Allowance application.
If you're not meeting your course requirements, your payments could stop.
You can cancel your Student Loan at any time but you'll need to pay back any payments you've received.
If you have to pay for something urgently, get an unexpected bill, or have a personal emergency, we might be able to help.
You might need help to pay for:
- food
- accommodation
- power, gas and water bills or heating
- dental treatment
- glasses
- whiteware (e.g. fridge, freezer, washing machine), or
- car repairs
We can help you manage any money you owe to StudyLink or Work and Income.
We can help with:
- a breakdown of your debt
- debt repayments
- what to do if you don't agree with your debt, and
- support for managing your debt.
If you're getting a Student Loan, Student Allowance or Jobseeker Support Student Hardship, there are responsibilities you must meet.