Age restriction - 65 years

For study starting on or after 1 January 2014, students aged 65 and over are not eligible for a Student Allowance.

This means that:

If a student is aged 65 or over at the date they start study, they will not be eligible for a Student Allowance.

If a student is aged 64 years at the date they start study, and they turn 65 during that period of study, they are assessed under the 120-week limit for the duration of that period of study.

Students, whose study started in 2013 and carries over into 2014 are assessed under the 200 week limit for the duration of that period of study.

The period of study referred to above is the period of study covered by the student's application.

Note the age restriction for Student Allowances eligibility is linked to the age of eligibility for New Zealand Superannuation as specified in section 7(1) of the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001.

Students, who studied and received a Student Allowance in 2013, are entitled to receive a Student Allowance up until 31 December 2014, or until they reach their 200-week limit to a Student Allowance, whichever comes first.

The study in 2014 does not need to be towards the same qualification as the study in 2013.

There are no other 'transitional' provisions, including any form of discretion, available to vary the 65 year age limit from 1 January 2014.

Students who apply for an extension to the 200 week limit prior to 1 January 2014 that is approved will continue to be entitled to that extension after 1 January 2014.

For applications for an extension under the 'special circumstances' provision, special circumstances do not exist as a result of the age restriction.

If a student applies for an extension after 1 January 2014, the approval of an extension is not restricted by the fact that the student may reach age 65 during the period of the requested extension.