Public Transport Hardship Relief

Funding is available to help students experiencing financial hardship due to the cost of public transport.

Relief for public transport costs

Thanks to VUWSA and the Vice-Chancellor, funding is available to support students with the cost of public transport in the Wellington region. This one-off grant is designed to support students who rely on buses or trains to get to our Wellington campuses and are struggling to afford regular travel.

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

  • are currently enrolled as a Victoria University of Wellington student
  • struggle with the cost of public transport
  • use public transport in the Wellington region.

What you'll receive

Grants of up to $100 will be awarded as Snapper card credit. If your application is approved, you'll receive instructions on how to have the credit loaded onto your Snapper card. You'll need to come to Kelburn campus to complete the top-up.

We expect most Wellington-based students using public transport will have a Snapper card. However, if you do not have a card but meet the eligibility criteria, please still apply.

How to apply

Applications for the Public Transport Hardship Relief grant are now closed. If you missed out on applying, we are sorry for any disappointment.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, applications to our standard Hardship Fund are open year-round.

Additional transport support for students

If you're a student in Wellington, you may be eligible for ongoing public transport discounts that can help reduce your travel costs throughout the year. We encourage all students to check what concessions they qualify for:

  • Tertiary Student Concession—full-time tertiary students can get 25% off peak adult fares on Metlink buses and trains. You'll need to register your Snapper card and verify your student status to activate the discount.
  • Community Connect Concession—if you hold a Community Services Card, you're eligible for 50% off single-trip adult fares. This discount is applied to your Snapper card and can be used across the Metlink network.

Need more help

If you're finding it hard to manage transport costs or other living expenses, you're not alone. We encourage you to book a confidential appointment with a student finance adviser for budgeting advice and support. They can help you explore all available options and make a plan that works for you.

Book an appointment with a student finance adviser.