Financial services and support for students

We understand that studying can be tough on your finances and leave you in a difficult situation. You can apply for emergency and hardship support online if financial difficulties are impacting your studies at AUT, or you can talk to us to discuss your situation.

What financial support covers

AUT’s Student Financial Emergency and Hardship Support can help you with essential living costs, including:

• Food
• Transport
• Unpaid rent
• Bills (electricity, water, internet, car repairs, etc)
• Wellbeing and medical emergencies
• Tangihanga or funeral attendance costs
• Laptop loans and data packages for laptops
• Childcare

You can't use it to pay for:

• Tuition fees
• Other fees, including registration fees, exam fees
• Paying off debt (credit card, after-pay services, overdraft, personal loans)
• Assets (devices, furniture, vehicles)
• Visa applications
• Fines (parking, court, debt collection)
• Ongoing/long-term financial assistance

How we provide financial support

We can provide food and transport vouchers, an AUT wallet voucher to use at the AUT cafés or for the AUT shuttle, a direct payment to your bank account, a direct payment to a third-party creditor (for example a power company), loan laptops and data packages for study purposes.

Who is eligible for financial support

You're eligible to apply for financial support if you meet all of the following:

• You're currently enrolled and studying at AUT
• You're currently living in New Zealand
• You're not on a study break of more than 3 weeks
• You don't have sufficient savings to cover essential living costs

You may also be eligible for government and other community resources

What to provide

To support your application, you will be required to provide:

• A “proof of account” from a NZ bank displaying the bank logo, your name, and account number. It is easily downloadable from your bank’s website or app.
• For every account in your name in New Zealand, including saving accounts and accounts with different banks:
  • A transaction history showing the 30 days prior to the application date. You will need to generate this document by logging into your bank’s website, not the app.
  • Check this guide for instructions on how to download your transaction history
  • If you are still experiencing difficulties, use the search function in your bank’s website to get a step-by-step guide or contact your bank for assistance.

• Quotes or invoices for payments you are requesting assistance with (if applicable).

How to apply for financial support

You can apply online by completing the form below:

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

If you prefer to discuss your situation in person or want help completing the form, contact the Student Hub or make an appointment with an advisor via the AUT App or My AUT.

MAKE A BOOKING

Māori students can also contact Pou Māori at maori@aut.ac.nz for help with applying for financial support. This service is confidential.

Government assistance

There are a number of other alternatives when it comes to financial support and advice.

StudyLink

• For urgent and essential costs like food, dental treatment, glasses, car repairs or rental bonds:
  Special Needs Grant
• For ongoing accommodation cost:
  Accommodation Supplement

Work and Income (WINZ)

• Work and Income can help you financially if you're on a low income, not working, have unexpected costs or need assistance with living expenses and accommodation support.
  WINZ website
• For people who have ongoing costs due to a disability:
  Disability Allowance

Sorted

• Sorted is a free online tool funded by the government and is dedicated to helping you manage your money and personal finances.
  Sorted website