15/12/2023
Jessica
VUWSA
[FYI request #24881 email]
Tēnā koe Jessica,
OIA: 1319476 – Changes to the student al owance scheme since 2005
Thank you for your email of 27 November 2023 to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry)
requesting the following information:
Al changes to the student allowance scheme since 2005 including:
1. Changes to the level of the parental income threshold including when it was frozen and
unfrozen and inflation-adjusted.
2. Changes to the personal income threshold.
3. Changes to postgraduate student allowance.
4. The total amount of students who have received student allowance each year since
2005 and how many have received the full student allowance entitlement since 2005. If
those who received any student allowance can also please be divided into
undergraduate/postgraduate, under 24/above 24, with/without children, with a
partner/without a partner.
5. The total amount of students who have received a student allowance and
accommodation benefit too and what region they live in, since 2005.
Your request has been considered under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the Act).
I am refusing
parts one, two and three of your request under section 18(d) of the Act, as the
information requested is publicly available on the Education Counts website at the following link:
https:/ www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/219058/Student-Support-
Changes-2022.pdf.
The student allowance rates and thresholds page on the Work and Income website may also be of
interest to you:
https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/deskfile/student-support-tables/student-
allowance-rates-and-thresholds/index.html.
As advised on 30 November 2023,
parts four and five of your request are not held by the Ministry
and have therefore been transferred to the Ministry of Social Development in accordance with
section 14(b)(i) of the Act. You may expect a response from the Ministry of Social Development
directly concerning these parts of your request.
Wel ington National Office, 1 The Terrace, Levels 5 to 14, Wellington 6011
PO Box 1666, Wel ington 6140, DX SR51201 Phone: +64 4 463 8000
Please note, we may publish this response on our website after five working days. Your name and
contact details wil be removed.
Thank you again for your email. You have the right to ask an Ombudsman to review my decision
on your request, in accordance with section 28 of the Act. You can do this by writing to
[email address] or to Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Nāku noa, nā
Katrina Sutich
General Manager, Tertiary Policy
Te Pou Kaupapahere | Policy
OIA: 131476
