Financial assistance

If you’re an enrolled Ara student facing unexpected hardship, there are several funds you can apply to which are designed to enable you to continue your current course of study. Your application is considered on its own merits as to whether it meets the fund’s criteria. Scholarships are also available as another source of financial assistance. For further information visit Student Central at your campus.

Please note that financial assistance can not be used to pay for your course fees.

Emergency Assistance

If you are an enrolled Ara student, you can apply for Emergency Vouchers of up to $100 for urgent and immediate needs, to enable you to continue with your study.

Ara Financial Hardship Assistance

If you are a fully enrolled (fees paid) Ara student and your continued study is threatened by desperate unanticipated financial circumstances, or your circumstances relating to your study change, causing an unmanageable financial burden, you can apply for this assistance.

Māori & Pacific Childcare Grant

You can apply for this grant to receive childcare funding support if you're an Ara Māori or Pacific student.

Other sources of financial assistance

• The Mayor's Welfare Fund - Limited assistance with Electricity, Wood and Rent
• Temporary Additional Support, Special Needs Grant, Advance Payments
• StudyLink - Urgent unexpected costs
• Angel Fund – Wahine Putea (Saving and Loan Fund) can give no-interest loans of up to $500 to women
• Good Shepherd NZ - supporting better futures for women experiencing disadvantage
• Good Loans - Good Shepherd NZ

Budgeting Advice

• Christchurch Budget Service Inc.
• Compassion Trust
• Kingdom Resources
• Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Money Talks
• Sorted
• CAP
• Getting help with your budget
• Every Dollar Counts