Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 1 July 2015, amend the Student Allowances Regulations 1998 (the principal regulations). The regulations make 2 substantial changes to the principal regulations.
Firstly, the regulations provide that an allowance paid to a student who is studying part-time may only be paid in respect of a course in which the student is enrolled, and which the student has partially completed. This does not affect students for whom a part-time course has been approved because of the student’s illness, for other reasons outside the student’s control, or because it is in the student’s academic best interests.
Second, the regulations establish a new rate of accommodation benefit for a single student who supports 1 or more children. The new rate applies to a student who is eligible for an accommodation benefit in respect of a portion of a recognised course of study commencing on or after 1 July 2015. The new rate is the appropriate rate of accommodation supplement (determined in accordance with section 61EC of the Social Security Act 1964) that the student would be entitled to receive if the student were a beneficiary. An important effect of the new rate is that no accommodation benefit is payable to the student if he or she has cash assets exceeding the amount specified in section 61EC(3)(a) of the Social Security Act 1964 (currently $16,200).
The regulations also correct minor grammatical errors in the principal regulations and delete redundant provisions.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.
Date of notification in Gazette: 4 June 2015.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Social Development.