Changes to student support for 2018
05 December 2017.
Read about changes to Student Loans and Allowances.
Fees-free for new students
New tertiary students who start study on or after 1 January 2018 will be eligible for free fees of up to $12,000.
Students can check if they’re eligible for fees-free study using the simple tool on the Fees-free website. It’s a good idea to do this before applying for student support for 2018 so they know whether to ask for a loan for their fees.
Eligible students still need to apply for a Student Loan if they want to borrow the course-related costs or living costs components, or if their fees are more than $12,000.
We encourage students to apply by 16 December and provide their supporting documents promptly to ensure their applications are sorted for the start of their study.
TEC is contacting all Tertiary Education Organisations directly to explain how the fees-free process will be managed.
Any enquiries should be directed to your TEC Investment Manager.
Increases to Student Allowances and Student Loan Living Costs
From 1 January 2018, Student Allowance rates and the maximum amount students can borrow for living costs will increase by $50 a week.
Where the rate reflects the living costs of two adults, the increase will be $100 a week.
Student Allowance recipients will not need to do anything to access the increased rate.
We’ll be in touch with Student Loan applicants to let them know what they need to do if they want to access some, or all, of the additional living costs.
The increase in the Student Allowance rates means some students who previously wouldn’t have received an allowance due to personal or parental income will now be entitled.
No changes are being made to eligibility rules for Student Allowances or Loans.