AUSA’s Hardship Grant Scheme gives monetary grants to students who are experiencing severe financial difficulties. The scheme was set up to assist students in hardship with the basic necessities of life.
Successful applicants will be granted up to $300 depending on their situation and need, or up to $450 if they are caring for dependents.
NOTE: Financial need must fall under one of the following four categories to be considered - food, accommodation, travel, medical.
The Hardship Fund can help with a range of issues, including:
- necessary medical, dental, or optical costs
- exceptionally high course-related costs, including Architecture and Design project materials
- high transport costs
- costs related to teaching experience placements
- a change to your employment situation
- additional costs incurred by studying off campus
We DO NOT PAY for items like Parking tickets & fines, Arrears from Finance Companies, Bad Debt, Course Fees, Membership Fees (Gyms/ Clubs), or Domestic & International Flights.
We reserve the right to ask for further information on bank statement details; including information on transferring between accounts and details on any other accounts. This is a non-exhaustive list.
- You must be a University of Auckland student
- You have not already accessed the hardship fund within the current semester
- You must not a member of the AUSA Executive or Staff
- You must be employed, seeking employment, or be unable to do so
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You will need to attach the documentation to the application, including:
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your application form
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a recent bank statement showing the last two weeks’ transactions
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an overview of all of your bank accounts
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If you are applying for help with specific things such as (advance) rent, please include a bill or a quote
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- Your application will be assessed by the AUSA Welfare Committee on your financial situation and whether it is Short term, Unexpected, and Threatening your university study.
Eligibility and Assessment
Application
Please note you will need to log on with your @aucklanduni.ac.nz email address to apply below.
Apply for a hardship grant here
For help or more information please contact the AUSA Welfare Vice President
If your situation falls outside the criteria or is an exceptional circumstance, we may still be able to help you. Please contact the Welfare Vice President for more information.
For help or more information
Additional Financial Support Resources
- The University of Auckland Student Emergency Fund is open to all current students facing financial difficulties. See here for further information and to apply.
- Faculty-based Hardship Grants: Faculty of Arts Student Emergency Fund - The University of Auckland and EDSW Hardship Application (auckland.ac.nz)
- Campus Care is a free and confidential service to support students who may be facing additional barriers to their studies, including financial difficulties. To book a consultation with one of their case managers, make a self-referral through this link.
- ImPower's Financial Coaches are ready to listen to your concerns and help you develop a realistic plan to achieve your financial goals. Financial coach drop-ins - The University of Auckland.
- Use the Ministry of Social Development’s eligibility checker to see if you are getting all the government assistance for which you qualify.
- Food Aid/Parcels: A directory of organisations offering food assistance can be found here.
- If you are a domestic student, it would be good to access all resources from StudyLink such as Student Allowance - StudyLink, Student Loan living costs(interest-free), and one-shot student Loancourse-related costs every semester.