The government agencies

StudyLink is a service of the Ministry of Social Development responsible for Student Allowances, Student Loans and Unemployment Benefit Student Hardship.

StudyLink help you to get the financial support you need while you study. You’ll need to apply for a new loan each year that you study.

The transfer

From 28 February in the year after your study year (when you borrowed the money), your loan is transferred across to Inland Revenue. This assumes your course was completed prior to 31 December of the previous year.

Inland Revenue is responsible for collecting repayments from you once you start earning over a certain amount (currently set at $19,084 before tax) a year.

With each new study year, you apply to StudyLink for a new loan and the process starts again.