Age

A student must be at least 16 years of age and (for study starting on or after 1 January 2014) under 65 years of age at study start date to get Student Allowance.

Generally students can only receive a maximum of:

• 92 weeks of entitlement for secondary study
• 120 weeks of entitlement for tertiary study if aged 40 and over (at study start date)
• 200 weeks of entitlement for tertiary study if under the age of 40 (at study start date)

For more information see:

• Age restriction - 65 years
• The 92 week limit for secondary school study
• The 120/200 week limit for tertiary study

The age categories that determine whether a Student Allowance is parentally income tested are:

• Students aged 16-23 years
• Students aged 24 years old and over

Students who qualify for an Independent Circumstances Allowance do not have their Student Allowance parentally income tested.

For more information see:

• Independent Circumstances Allowance

The age categories that determine how Student Allowance eligibility is assessed for secondary students are:

• Secondary students aged 16 or 17 years old
• Secondary students aged 18 years and over