Troubleshooting fees and loans

Find out how to solve problems with your tuition fees or Student Loan application—and get help if you're experiencing financial hardship.

Our Student Finance team are here to help you if:

  • You are having trouble navigating StudyLink requirements.
  • You aren’t sure how to finalise your Student Loan application.
  • You rely on StudyLink for your living costs, but payments are delayed.

StudyLink processing times

January to March is an extremely busy time at StudyLink. They are processing tens of thousands of Student Loan and Student Allowance applications for students across the country.

StudyLink recommends that students start their loan and/or allowance application by 16 December of the previous year to allow enough time for processing. You do not need to be enrolled to study before starting your application.

If you submit your application after this date, or if you are delayed in providing StudyLink with any required documentation, your application may not be finalised by the time you start your study.

This may mean that your tuition fees won't be paid on time and that you experience delays in receiving your weekly Student Loan living costs or Student Allowance payments.

If your application is not completed before you start study

It is important that you action any requests from StudyLink promptly and accurately. Log in to MyStudyLink frequently to check your application status and review any messages or letters StudyLink has sent you.

StudyLink provides guidance on what each application status means.

Be proactive, but be prepared to wait. At peak times, it can take many weeks for StudyLink to process the documentation they have received. That is why it is important that any documentation you submit is accurate to meet StudyLink's requirements.

If you are unsure what your next steps are, contact StudyLink directly, or contact our Student Finance team at student-finance@vuw.ac.nz for support.

If you are struggling with living costs while waiting for StudyLink to process your application, our Student Finance Advisers can provide emergency financial assistance and support. Email student-hardship@vuw.ac.nz or review our Hardship Fund information.

If your Student Loan is not approved by the time you start your study, you can still attend classes while you wait for it to finish processing. Check your MyStudyLink daily for application updates and keep in contact with our Student Finance team, especially if you receive email reminders about unpaid fees.

Unpaid fees reminder

Students who have not paid their tuition fees by the fees due date (the Friday before Trimester 1 starts) may receive an unpaid fees reminder email.

If you have experienced genuine or unexpected delays during your Student Loan application, you may be eligible for an extension before a late payment penalty is charged. Contact our Student Finance team with a short explanation of your circumstances.

If you receive an unpaid fees reminder email but believe your Student Loan application is complete, check the following:

  • If you're paying your fees by student loan, go to Application Details in the MyStudyLink portal. Make sure that you've answered 'yes' to the 'Pay Fees' question. There are different components to a Student Loan, and you must specify that you want to use your loan to pay your tuition fees.
  • Check that you have applied for a Student Loan to cover your tuition fees. You may have had your application for a Student Allowance approved, but that will only give you a weekly payment for your living costs—it cannot pay your tuition fees.

Financial wellbeing

Navigating the Student Loan process can be stressful, especially if it's your first time studying or if you've submitted your application later than planned.

If you are feeling stressed or concerned about your fees or finances, support is available:

  • Talk to a trusted friend or family member.
  • Talk to a friend or sibling who has already been through the Student Loan process.
  • Our Student Fee Advisers can provide advice on your loan application progress and answer questions about fees.
  • Our Student Finance Advisers can meet with you one-to-one to discuss money management, budgeting, financial wellbeing, and emergency financial assistance.
  • Counselling support is available through Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling.
  • StudyLink Outreach support: a StudyLink outreach officer is based at the Work and Income office on Willis Street, Wellington, and is available for appointments.
    • Call 0800 88 99 00 or visit the office at 195 Willis Street to make an appointment.

Get help

Talk to the Student Finance team

Phone: 0800 04 04 04
Email: student-finance@vuw.ac.nz

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