be 18 or over (some 16-17 year olds can also get it)
study full-time (or limited full-time with our approval)
be at secondary school or on a tertiary course approved by the Tertiary Education Commission (your education provider can tell you if your course is approved)
be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident (for the Student Allowance a permanent resident must have legally lived in New Zealand for at least two years, held permanent residency status for at least two years, and be ordinarily resident in New Zealand), refugee or protected person (under the Immigration Act 2009).