Student Assistance/Loans

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Not set out on their website.

• Introduce a debt write-off scheme so that, at the end of studies, each year the person stays in Aotearoa and contributes through paid or unpaid full time work, a year's worth of debt will be wiped.
• [Plans to] Establishing a universal student allowance, at the level of the unemployment benefit, for all full-time students (including students aged 16 and 17 in tertiary education).
• Work with student associations, tertiary institutions, local government and other stakeholders to facilitate reduced barriers to tertiary education. (more here)

Not set out on their website.

• Reduce and then end all tertiary education fees over time.  In the meantime there should be no further interest on student loans
• Provide students with community-based jobs to help them complete their courses and reduce their debt. (more here)

Not set out on their website.

• Retain interest-free loans. (more here)

• We propose a zero-fees policy for tertiary education in New Zealand in place of Student Allowances, accompanied by a push to increase the quality of tertiary education and protect the value of New Zealand degrees.
• Such a scheme would mean that students would only borrow living costs, rather than the crippling loans which are currently being incurred to cover fees, especially by Medical and Dentistry students.
• A zero-fees regime would be funded by abolishing the Student Allowance, any shortfall would be offset by reduced rates or borrowing and default, an increased focus on repayment compliance and monitoring of overseas-based student loan holders.
• Ensure all tertiary students unable to find work over the summer period have access to the Emergency Unemployment Benefit. (more here)