Can I Get a NZ Student Loan to Study Overseas?

Can I get a student loan to study overseas?

While you likely won’t be able to get a NZ student loan for most overseas campuses, there are some situations when you may be eligible to receive a loan while studying overseas. These include:

• Travelling overseas as part of your NZ-based course
• If you’re enrolled at an overseas campus or delivery site through your NZ education provider
• At secondary school and going on an overseas exchange program

Note that if you live overseas and decide to study a course through distance learning that’s based in New Zealand, you won’t be able to get a student loan or student allowance.

Related article: Can NZ Citizens Get a Student Loan in Australia?

Going overseas as part of your course*

If you’re enrolled in a course in New Zealand at an approved education provider, and you need to go overseas as part of your course, you may be able to get a student loan or student allowance. However, your study need to meet the following criteria:

• Be approved by your NZ education provider
• Be credited to your NZ qualification

Enrolled at an overseas campus*

If you’re going to enroll at an overseas campus or delivery site through your New Zealand education provider, you may be able to get a student loan or student allowance. You will need to be:

• Studying a full-time course at level 7 or above on the National Qualifications Framework
• Going to a country that’s approved for overseas study by the Ministry of Education
• Studying at the overseas campus or delivery site
• Studying part of your qualification in New Zealand

Going on an overseas exchange program*

If you’re studying at secondary school and thinking about applying for an exchange program overseas, you may be able to apply for a student allowance. The exchange program needs to be recognised by the Ministry of Education before you can be approved for an allowance.

*You will also need to meet the criteria for receiving a student loan or allowance.

How to apply

To apply for a student loan or allowance, you will need to do the following:

1. Apply online for a student loan and/or allowance (if you haven’t already)
2. You and an authorised member of your NZ education provider need to complete an overseas study application
3. Upload your completed form to Connect

How much will I be paid?

Usually, your payments will be the same as when you’re in New Zealand. If you’re getting a student allowance and you were living at home with your parents and are now going overseas, your rate could change.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.