Financial and budgeting help

Starting university can bring new financial challenges. Get advice on funding your study and the costs involved or find help on budgeting and emergency support if you need it.

We want you to succeed when you study with us. We're happy to help with advice on funding your university studies and addressing the financial side of being a student, including if you get into a financial emergency.

On this page:

Budgeting help

Setting up a budget (a plan to track and spend your money) can make managing your money easier and give you a chance to plan ahead.

Calculate the cost of studying at Massey

Some of the main costs you need to consider when budgeting for your tertiary study include:

International students

Living costs can be more than you are used to if you are an international student.

Find out more about living in New Zealand

Budgeting support for current students

If you're finding it hard to manage your money, contact your student advocate within your student association to get their help with a budget or budgeting services.

On some campuses other budgeting resources are also on offer such as free budgeting clinics, seminars and online guides.

Find your student association advocate 

We also offer comprehensive guidance through our online tools for current students, MyHub and Stream.

Get budgeting and financial advice through MyHub (requires login)

Access a free financial skills training course on Stream (requires login)

Paying for your study

Working out how to pay for your university studies is a common concern. We can help you to work through your options.

Fees Free

You may be eligible for the Fees Free scheme, if you:

  • are a domestic student with New Zealand citizenship or residency
  • are a first-time student
  • have studied less than 60 credits.

Fees Free scheme

StudyLink student loans and student allowances advice

If you need advice about student loans and allowances to help pay for your study, we have staff who work closely with StudyLink. StudyLink gives financial information and support for students who are New Zealand residents or citizens.

Get in touch with us if you need information about student loans and allowances or help with:

  • making sure your enrolment meets eligibility requirements for loans and allowances
  • getting your full entitlement
  • resolving student loan or student allowance problems
  • signatures on StudyLink supplementary forms.

Find out more about StudyLink student loans

Go to the StudyLink website 

Scholarships, grants and awards

Applying for scholarships, grants and awards is a great way to contribute to the costs of your fees, living or study.

Search the database of awards, grants and scholarships 

Get information about domestic student accommodation scholarships for Auckland or Manawatū campus study

Getting a job

To find jobs to fit around your study, visit Student Job Search.

International students

If you are an international student and need some help, email us for advice at studentcare@massey.ac.nz.

Emergency support

You can go to your student association for help if you're running out of money for the basics of life. All the student associations are run 'by students for students'.

Your student association advocate can give you financial advice. They can also help you:

  • apply to hardship and welfare funds
  • get a food grant if you're going hungry
  • find charities and community organisations that could also help you.

Get contact details for Massey student associations 

Find a student association advocate 

COVID-19 fund

If your financial emergency is related to COVID-19, Massey and the Government have created a Student Assistance Programme fund offering students up to $500 support each semester.

Massey has a 'no shame, no stigma' approach to requests for help. We want you to contact us if you're going through hard times and genuinely need a helping hand.

Asking for and receiving hardship funds will not impact your academic marks or be shown on your record.

Find out more and apply for the fund 

More financial and budgeting support

Learn how to deal with personal debt from the New Zealand Insolvency and Trustee Service 

Find out how to withdraw KiwiSaver funds early if you are experiencing financial hardship 

A Community Services Card from Work and Income can help with healthcare costs 

Contact us

Get in touch with us early about money matters so we can help and point you in the right direction. We want you to succeed with your study at Massey and are here to help.

If you're a current student, include your student ID number when you contact us.