Financial Hardship
If you’re struggling financially, your studies can really suffer as a result. To get some help and practical advice on all your money matters, come and see WelTec’s Hardship Coodinator, who can assist you with getting your finances back on track, and help you access the extra help services that are listed below. You should bring an up-to-date bank statement with you, so that you can be given tailored budget advice.
The Hardship Coordinator is based at the Petone Campus, in the Student Hub, but can also come to the Church St and Cuba St sites for appointments with students. Just ask at reception, or call 0800 WelTec (935 832), or you can email studentsupport@weltec.ac.nz.
WelTec Emergency Hardship Fund
WelTec has an Emergency Hardship Fund, to which students can apply, under the following conditions:
- The Emergency Hardship Fund is available to students who are suffering an unexpected short term financial problem, which is likely to adversely affect their study. It is intended to be a last resort.
- Applications are assessed on a case by case basis. No student has an automatic right of entitlement to assistance from the fund and we reserve the right to decline an application.
- Assistance may be given in the form of a grant or a loan, depending on your circumstances.
- You are expected to seek financial assistance from other sources (StudyLink, WINZ, family, bank, employment, etc) BEFORE applying to the fund. You will be asked to provide details of this.
- The Hardship Fund is NOT a CASH fund. Any assistance you receive will be made available through petrol or food vouchers, bus/train passes, or direct payments, etc.
- The Emergency Hardship Fund is NOT available for paying court fines, or any debts you incurred prior to study at WelTec.
- You must have an acceptable attendance record to be eligible, and this will be checked.
- You must be an NZ citizen or permanent resident.
You can contact the Hardship Coordinator on 0800 WelTec (935 832) or email studentsupport@weltec.ac.nz for more information. To apply you will need to complete the Emergency Hardship Fund Application Form (PDF)
WelTec Emergency Food/Travel Grant
Weltec’s Hardship Coordinator holds a limited number of food vouchers/travel cards which students may be able to access if they have a short term financial problem – eg. Not having enough food/travel to last until your next pay day.
You can contact the Hardship Coordinator on 0800 WelTec (935 832) for more information, or complete the Emergency Food/Travel Grant Application Form (PDF).
StudyLink/Work & Income
If you’re in a situation of financial hardship, due to unforeseen circumstances, or have had unexpected or urgent expenses, you may be able to get extra help from StudyLink or Work & Income.
Some examples:
- You may be eligible for a food grant, if you can provide evidence of genuine hardship, and valid reasons why you temporarily cannot afford food.
- You can apply for up to $300 towards dental costs (per 52 week period), if you can provide evidence that you can’t afford to meet the costs of dental treatment, and that the treatment is deemed urgent.
Contact StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00 or Work & Income on 0800 559 009 for further information or to book an emergency appointment.
Local Food Banks
There are a number of local foodbanks that you may be able to access, depending on your situation. Most food banks will expect you to seek assistance from StudyLink/Work & Income first.
WelTec Students’ Association in Petone can also provide a basic food parcel to WelTec student in financial hardship.
Budget Advice
If you’re struggling to make ends meet, or have prior debts and/or APs to pay, seeing a trained Budget Advisor can really help. As well as calculating your budget, they can negotiate with creditors on your behalf to reduce your weekly AP commitments, and provide you with a 3 month cash flow plan, so you can keep your finances on track. For a Budget Advisor in your area, try:
- Family Whanau Support, Level 3, 105 High Street, Lower Hutt.
Tel: (04) 570 6020.
- Petone Citizens Advice Bureau Budget Advisory Service,
6 Britannia Street, Petone. Tel: (04) 568 8877.
- Downtown Community Ministry, Compassion House,
2 Lukes Lane, Wellington. Tel: (04) 384 7699.
Or see the family budgeting website to find one in your area.
Part-time Work
Doing some part time or casual work can be a big help while you’re a student. Register with Student Job Search and check for jobs on TradeMe and Seek too. Your income in any one week can be up to $206.73 before tax (from 1 April 2012) before your Student Allowance payments are affected.
Travel
Travel costs can eat into your budget, especially if you live further away from campus. Cut down on high travel costs by sharing rides with friends, travelling by cycle, using a Snapper card on the bus, or by buying 10 trip or monthly passes on the train.
If you can’t find anyone to share rides with within WelTec, register on the Let's Carpool website either as a driver needing passengers, or a potential passenger.