About the awards | Who can apply? | Making an application | FAQ’s | Help Desk Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I apply to study towards a degree programme?
Yes, provided that you don’t already have a qualification in one of the identified disciplines at diploma level or higher. - What is the Study Support Payment meant to cover?
The Study Support Payment is paid directly to the Family Start provider and is intended to be spent in ways that will support the employee to successfully complete their study. This may include such things as paying for backfill, travel and accommodation costs if the student employee travels to courses, study resources and equipment. - If my employer uses the Study Support Payment to buy text books or equipment do these purchases belong to me?
No. Anything the employer purchases using the Study Support Payment remains the property of the employer. The employer may choose to allow you to keep minor purchases such as text books but that would be at their discretion. - Who decides how the Study Support Payment is spent?
The ultimate decision is with the Family Start provider. Family & Community Services does not require proof of how money is spent and will only investigate, outside of routine contract monitoring, if there are substantiated complaints about the spending of the Support Payment. - Do I have to repay any of my Award funding if I withdraw from study or resign from Family Start?
Each situation would be reviewed individually and would take into account both the timing of withdrawal and the reasons for withdrawal. If the award recipient resigns from Family Start but continues to study, the Study Support Payment will cease at the end of the semester in which the student resigned. - Will the Study Award cover certificate level papers?
Some diploma level qualifications include certificate level papers at stage one. The Study Award will only apply to certificate level papers if they lead to a diploma level qualification. An arrangement such as this would need to be verified by the education provider and endorsed by Family & Community Services. - Once I finish my diploma through the Study Award can the Study Award continue to cover me to complete my degree?
No. Once you have completed your diploma you are considered already qualified for Family Start. - Do you have to be a family/whanau worker to apply for a Study Award?
Any Family Start employee can apply for a study award provided that they meet the rest of the criteria. Selection Criteria - If I am receiving an NGO Study Award can I switch to Family Start Study Awards?
You can apply to change award schemes provided that you do so in writing. Your success in changing awards will depend on the funding available in the study award year in which you apply and your ability to meet the Family Start Study Award criteria. Selection Criteria - If I have already completed a police vetting process, must I complete the process again for the Study Award application?
All applicants will be required to complete the police vetting form for the Ministry of Social Development. The form that you must use is attached to the Family Start Study Award application form. Police vetting will take place prior to final selection. - If my fees are over the $3,000 award limit who pays for the balance?
StudyLink will only pay for fees up to $3,000. If your fees are greater than $3,000 then you will be invoiced by the education provider for the balance. That portion of the fees will be your responsibility. - If I have already paid for my fees will StudyLink reimburse me?
StudyLink can only pay education providers. If you have already paid your fees StudyLink will pay the education provider again and the education provider will then reimburse you. - Is there a limit to the number of people from one organisation who can receive a study award?
The number of people applying for study from the same provider will not automatically be limited. However, the overall number of applicants could be a factor if there is any reason to doubt the Family Start provider’s ability to support all of the people applying and/or there is a risk that the people applying would not be successful in study because of lack of support and/or it is believed that the Family Start provider outcomes would be compromised because of the number of people being freed up for study. MSD will also consider a geographical spread of awards when they are making the final selection. - Who do I notify if there is a change to my contact details?
If you change your address, work or home phone number, or email address please email your changes to Geeta Raman - What is the ‘Verification of Study’ (VoS) and why does it need to happen?
When you sign your Agreement you are confirming the qualification that you are being awarded for. Before any payments can be made the Ministry of Social Development needs to confirm that you are enrolled in the qualification that you indicated in your Agreement. Only the training provider can confirm this. - How do I have my study verified?
Verification of Study is the final step for your award to go unconditional. StudyLink will verify your study directly with the education provider. Once your study is verified StudyLink will notify Family and Community Services (FACS) and FACS can then authorise payments to be made. - If I am studying through Te Kaiawhina Ahumahi (TKA) do I need to complete a Verification of Study (VoS) form?
No. If you are studying under TKA your study is verified directly by TKA to MSD. - Is there any requirement about how much I am expected to study each year?
The expectation is that you will work through your qualification at the pace of study recommended by your education provider. For example, if you are studying towards a diploma in social work and your education provided recommends that you complete the diploma within 4 years on a part-time basis, this will also be the expectation we have of you for study award purposes. - Do I have to reapply for the study award every year?
No. However there will be an annual review of your academic results. At that time we will consider the number of credits or points that you have enrolled in for the study year you just completed and how successful you have been with your study. Your study award will only continue if we are satisfied that you have met the requirements.
