StudyLink statistics
For the calendar year statistics, the last five years are shown, however, the downloadable spreadsheets give the whole series, for loans and allowances, since the establishment of StudyLink.
Student Allowances
The Student Allowance Scheme was introduced in 1989 to provide living support for New Zealand students studying full-time toward recognised tertiary qualifications, and for adults studying full-time at a secondary school. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that the need to meet day-to-day living expenses does not act as a barrier to full-time education for adult students.
The Department of Work and Income took over the responsibility for administering Student Allowances in 1999 from the Ministry of Education. This delivery function is now carried out by the Ministry of Social Development (as a result of the merger of the Department of Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Policy in 2001) through its StudyLink service.
Student Loans
The Student Loan Scheme was established in 1992 to assist students to overcome financial barriers to undertaking tertiary study. Three agencies have particular responsibilities under the scheme; the Ministry of Education, Inland Revenue, and since 2000, the Ministry of Social Development.
StudyLink, a service of the Ministry of Social Development, is responsible for the administration and delivery of Student Loans to students during the year of study. After the end of each academic year StudyLink transfers those loans to Inland Revenue for collection. See below for information on borrower debt while the loan is with StudyLink.
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education is responsible for strategic policy in relation to the Student Loan Scheme, including modeling and policy development. You will find information on loan debt projections and loan repayment projections on the Ministry of Education website.
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue is responsible for maintaining the loan accounts after the end of each study year, including the assessment and collection of loan repayments. You will find information on interest rates, interest write-offs, repayments, debt levels and overdue debt levels on the Inland Revenue website.
A and B Bursary payments/New Zealand Qualifications Authority Scholarship Monetary Awards
The New Zealand Bursary scheme was phased out with the introduction of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 in 2004. A new system of achievement awards called the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Scholarship Monetary Awards was introduced in 2005. Historical data on the payment of A and B Bursaries by MSD is listed in the link below.
