Student Allowance when you have 2 parents

If your parents' joint earnings are more than $65,370.76 a year before tax, the rate you get for Student Allowance goes down.

You can't get a Student Allowance if their joint earnings while you study are more than:

• $118,936.35 if you live with them
• $127,808.07 if you don't live with them.

What we assess as your parents' joint earnings will be reduced by:

• $7,000 a year before tax if they already financially support other students who are:
  • aged 16-23
  • studying full-time in New Zealand at secondary school or an approved education provider
• $3,400 a year before tax if they live in separate houses.

What you need to do

Apply online for a Student Allowance (if you haven't already).

Parents' income changes during study

If your parents' income changes, it may affect your Student Allowance.

Parents want to contact us on your behalf

If you want your parents to be able to contact us on your behalf, you need to fill out a form to appoint them as your agent.

If you have more than 2 parents

We look at the income of whichever parents give you the most support. If you have more than 2 parents (eg your birth parents and an adoptive parent), then we look at the income of whichever 2 parents support you the most out of these.