Winter Energy Grant
Need help keeping your flat warm this winter? Student Finance is offering a Winter Energy Grant to help pay a winter power bill.
Warm your whare—winter energy support
Are you needing support with your winter power bill? If the answer is yes, then the Winter Energy Grant may be for you. Follow the link below to apply for this assistance.
Conditions
One application per address
Only one application per address is accepted.
Group applications
If you live with other Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington students, please submit one group application together.
Individual applications
If you're the only VUW student at your address, you can still submit an individual application.
Who can apply
All New Zealand-based VUW students are eligible to apply, as long as you are not living in a hall of residence with all-inclusive costs.
Grant amount
Thanks to generous support from businesses that work with the University, alumni, and staff, via donations to the Student Hardship Fund, Student Finance offers household grants of up to $350 to help contribute to increased costs of warming your home over winter.
How to apply
Applications for the 2026 Winter Energy Grant are now open. Before applying, please read the information below. Once you have all the required documents, please complete your application form via the Pūaha Student Portal. You can access the form from the Services and FAQ section, then search for 'Winter Energy Grant', or filter to the 'Manage your money' category.
Grants are open until 7 August 2026. However, they may close earlier if applications exceed funding available.
Supporting evidence
To complete your Winter Energy Grant application, you’ll be asked to provide:
- Evidence of your bank details that show the bank logo, account number, account holder and address. The name and address of the payee bank account need to match the details of the Winter Energy Grant application. A flat account is preferred.
- A copy of a current or previous month's power bill or prepaid electricity tokens. The address on the bill must match the details of the Winter Energy Grant application.
If you do not have a flat account, explain in the application how your household manages bill payments and provide an appropriate nominated account with your flat address.
If you are unable to match your flat address across your supporting evidence, you can provide a current tenancy agreement with your name and flat address, alongside your bank account details.
Acknowledgements
This initiative would not be possible without the generous donations and support from alumni, staff, and the following businesses: