If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, then a TeachNZ scholarship may help you to realise your dream.
If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, then a TeachNZ scholarship may help you to realise your dream.
From February 2012 TeachNZ will have a new automated system to process scholarship payments. This change will mean that TeachNZ will now be able to automatically pay your allowance and fees payments, if you’re eligible, without the need for you to supply an academic transcript or other documentation.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions to assist you with any queries you may have about the changes.
If you have further questions please contact TeachNZ. Call us free on 0800 165 225, weekdays between 8:30am - 5pm, or email teachnz.admin@minedu.govt.nz
On this page:
Q1. What is TeachNZ's new automated system? How are TeachNZ getting scholarship recipient information automatically from 1 February 2012?
Q2. When will I get my allowance payment?
Q3. What can I do if I need my allowance payment before March 2012?
Q4. Do I need to get a student loan to pay my course fees?
Q5. Do I still need to provide an academic transcript to show that I have passed my courses for the year?
Q6. If I'm not sending TeachNZ my fees invoice, how will you know where I'm studying?
Q7. I'm changing tertiary providers and/or my qualification, what should I do?
Q8. I haven't received a payment from TeachNZ before, what do I need to do?
Q9. I've changed my bank account since my last payment, what should I do?
Q10. I'm changing my bank account, but I won't be able to confirm details of my new account until after 13 January 2012.What should I do? What will happen with my payments?
Q11. What should I do if I change my contact details? Will it affect my TeachNZ scholarship payments?
Q12. What is an NSN number and why do TeachNZ need it?
Q13. I don't know what my NSN number is, where can I find it?
Q14. My friend received their allowance payment but I haven't got mine yet, why?
Q15. TeachNZ said they'll be processing my payment automatically but I've been asked for my paper transcript and/or proof of completion, why?
Q16. If by the end of March 2012 I haven't received my allowance payment from TeachNZ, what should I do?
Q17. Do I need to provide proof of completion of my qualification?
Q18. When will I be informed of my bonding requirements and how will TeachNZ know my qualification completion date in order to set my bonding deadline?
Q19. How will I know if I am not eligible for a payment?
Q20. How do I tell TeachNZ if I know I am not eligible for a payment?
Q21. If I don't want my fees or allowances paid, what should I do?
Q22. My fees have been paid, but I didn't want them to be paid, how can I fix this?
Q23. I have received the wrong allowance payment amount, what should I do?
Q24. Only part of my fees have been paid, what should I do?
Q25. I'm postponing my study for a year, what should I do?
Q26. I would like to withdraw from my scholarship, what should I do?
Q27. If I withdraw from my qualification can I keep my TeachNZ scholarship?
Q28. Do I need to declare my scholarship allowance and fees payments to IRD / Work and Income NZ?
Q29. What should I do if I transfer a paper?
Q30. What do I need to do if I withdraw from a paper?
Q31. TeachNZ say I'm not eligible for a payment but my transcript says I have passed everything, what should I do?
Q32. I've finished my undergraduate study and I'm about to start my teaching qualification, what do I need to do?
Q33. If I have completed my qualification can I get more fees payments for post-graduate study by sending in my fees invoice?
Q1. What is TeachNZ's new automated system? How are TeachNZ getting scholarship recipient information automatically from 1 February 2012?
The new system for scholarship payments is the result of an agreement between the Tertiary Education Commission, The Ministry of Education and TeachNZ to share student's study information via an electronic transfer. This means that we will now automatically receive information from these parties about:
AND
We will attempt to pay your fees and allowance payments based on the information we currently hold for you. However, you need to let us know if there are any changes to your study, contact or bank account details.*
Ultimately, this new payment system makes it easier for you (the recipient) and for us at TeachNZ to process your allowance and fees payments.
*NOTE: Please see the new Scholarship Payment Guide or read Questions 7, 9, 11, 25 and 26 below for details about what to do. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Q2. When will I get my allowance payment?
If you're eligible, you should receive your payment approximately 4 - 6 weeks after we receive your information through our new system on 1 February 2012. All payments should be complete by 16 March 2012. We will contact you if we need any further information from you.
Q3. What can I do if I need my allowance payment before March 2012?
If you would like your fees and/or allowance payment(s) to be paid before February 2012 ('early payment'), then you can apply using the new Scholarship Payments form found here. You must also provide your academic transcript. If you apply for an 'early payment' you should receive your payment 4 - 6 weeks after we receive your application. This excludes the Christmas / New Year fortnight.
To make sure your application is correct check the Scholarship payments guide here and ensure you've included all relevant documentation with your application. This will help us to process it as quickly as possible. If your application is incorrect or incomplete the 4 - 6 week timing may be effected.
Remember to let us know if any of your other details have changed.
Q4. Do I need to get a student loan to pay my course fees?
TeachNZ cannot guarantee to pay your course fees by the due date. That means you need to pay the fees yourself by the due date each year - by StudyLink Student Loan or other means.
Once we have paid your fees, your education provider will refund what you’ve paid – either onto your Student Loan or direct to you if you paid the fees yourself.
For more information see the Scholarship Payments guide.
Q5. Do I still need to provide an academic transcript to show that I have passed my courses for the year?
No. TeachNZ will now receive this information automatically (see Question 1). In some cases our system won’t provide us with the information we need to assess your eligibility, so we will contact you to get what’s required.
Q6. If I'm not sending TeachNZ my fees invoice, how will you know where I'm studying?
TeachNZ will receive this information automatically from your tertiary provider from February 2012. Unless you notify us of a change we will pay your course fees to the same tertiary provider and for the same qualification you studied in 2011, and pay your allowance into your same bank account as 2011 (see Question 1).
However, if you are changing to a new tertiary provider or to a different qualification in 2012 - please see Question 7 or the Scholarship Payment Guide for details of what you need to supply to TeachNZ.
Q7. I'm changing tertiary providers and/or my qualification, what should I do?
You'll need to complete the Scholarship Payment form and attach proof of your enrolment (fees invoice/offer of study), along with any other documentation required - see the Scholarship Payment guide for details. The qualification you study must be one that is approved under the Terms and Conditions of your scholarship. Note that changing your provider or qualification may also affect your eligibility for allowance or fees payments, contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q8. I haven't received a payment from TeachNZ before, what do I need to do?
You need to send us certified evidence of your bank account details before 13 January 2012 (See our website here for details of what certified bank evidence is). You do not need to fill out a Scholarship Payment form, just provide the appropriate evidence to TeachNZ in writing.
Q9. I've changed my bank account since my last payment, what should I do?
Please supply certified bank evidence to TeachNZ before 13 January 2012 (See our website here for details of what certified bank evidence is). You do not need to fill out a Scholarship Payment form, just post the appropriate evidence to us.
Q10. I'm changing my bank account, but I won't be able to confirm details of my new account until after 13 January 2012.What should I do? What will happen with my payments?
In this instance TeachNZ will put the payment into your existing bank account, so please keep your old account open to allow this payment to go through. You will then need to provide certified bank evidence of your new account to us for future payments. (See our website here for details of certified bank evidence is.)
Q11. What should I do if I change my contact details? Will it affect my TeachNZ scholarship payments?
If you change your postal address, email address or phone number at any time please contact TeachNZ to let us know. If we cannot contact you then this may result in delayed payment of your fees or allowance. You may also miss out on important information about updates or changes.
Q12. What is an NSN number and why do TeachNZ need it?
A National Student Number (NSN) is a unique number given to students in primary, secondary or tertiary study to identify them. TeachNZ now requires your NSN to process your scholarship payments because it helps us to identify you within our new system. You will only need to supply this to us once.
Q13. I don't know what my NSN number is, where can I find it?
Your NSN is listed on your NZQA Record of Achievement, NCEA Results Notice, and Schools Results Summary. It’s also your learner log-in on the NZQA website. If you can’t find your NSN please email sector.servicedesk@minedu.govt.nz call 0800 422 599 or go to www.nsi.education.govt.nz to fill out a Personal Information Request.
Q14. My friend received their allowance payment but I haven't got mine yet, why?
TeachNZ processes approximately 3,000 payment applications at this time of year, so payment timing for individuals may differ. TeachNZ can not priortise payments for one person over another. Please refer to Questions 2 and 3 for information on payment timing.
Q15. TeachNZ said they'll be processing my payment automatically but I've been asked for my paper transcript and/or proof of completion, why?
In some cases our system won’t provide us with the information we need to assess your eligibility for payment, or completion of your qualification, so we will contact you to get what’s required.
Q16. If by the end of March 2012 I haven't received my allowance payment from TeachNZ, what should I do?
Please contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q17. Do I need to provide proof of completion of my qualification?
No. TeachNZ will confirm this using their new system in February 2012 (see Question 1). However, in some cases our system won’t provide us with the information we need to do this, so we will contact you to get what’s required.
Q18. When will I be informed of my bonding requirements and how will TeachNZ know my qualification completion date in order to set my bonding deadline?
You will receive a letter from TeachNZ explaining your bonding criteria by the end of May 2012. Your bonding period starts from the first day of the month after your qualification completion date. Using our new system, TeachNZ will receive information from your tertiary provider confirming completion of your qualification and your completion date, see Question 1. For more information about scholarship bonding, please refer to your scholarship terms and conditions or contact TeachNZ.
Q19. How will I know if I am not eligible for a payment?
TeachNZ will contact you by letter if you are ineligible for a payment.
Q20. How do I tell TeachNZ if I know I am not eligible for a payment?
You can notify TeachNZ if you wish, but we will be able to check your eligibility using our new system in February 2012.
Q21. If I don't want my fees or allowances paid, what should I do?
You should notify TeachNZ in writing or by email at your earliest opportunity.
Q22. My fees have been paid, but I didn't want them to be paid, how can I fix this?
Contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q23. I have received the wrong allowance payment amount, what should I do?
Contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q24. Only part of my fees have been paid, what should I do?
Contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q25. I'm postponing my study for a year, what should I do?
You must contact us if you wish to postpone your study. You can do this via email or phone, or by using the Scholarship Payments form.
Q26. I would like to withdraw from my scholarship, what should I do?
You must contact TeachNZ if you wish to withdraw from your scholarship. You can do this via email or phone, or by using the Scholarship Payments form.
Q27. If I withdraw from my qualification can I keep my TeachNZ scholarship?
Contact TeachNZ to discuss your options.
Q28. Do I need to declare my scholarship allowance and fees payments to IRD / Work and Income NZ?
Yes. IRD consider TeachNZ Scholarship allowance payments to be exempt income under Section CW29 of the 2004 Income Tax Act, while the scholarship holder is in study. WINZ does not regard payment of fees as income, however if you do receive an allowance of benefit from WINZ, you will need to declare all fees and allowances received from TeachNZ.
Q29. What should I do if I transfer a paper?
If you transfer any papers, you should fill out the Scholarship Payment form and return it to TeachNZ. Please contact TeachNZ if you would like further information. You should also contact your tertiary provider as soon as possible to check if you have any refunds owing.
Q30. What do I need to do if I withdraw from a paper?
If you withdraw from any papers, you should fill out the Scholarship Payment form and return it to TeachNZ. Please contact TeachNZ if you need further information. You should also contact your tertiary provider as soon as possible to arrange any refunds.
Q31. TeachNZ say I'm not eligible for a payment but my transcript says I have passed everything, what should I do?
Contact TeachNZ to discuss.
Q32. I've finished my undergraduate study and I'm about to start my teaching qualification, what do I need to do?
You must inform TeachNZ about the tertiary provider and teaching qualification you're studying in writing or by email at your earliest opportunity.
Note: This scenario applies only to Secondary Subject School Leaver and Undergraduate scholarships.
Q33. If I have completed my qualification can I get more fees payments for post-graduate study by sending in my fees invoice?
Eligibility for further payments will depend on the terms and conditions of your scholarship. You will not be eligible if you have already completed a teacher education qualification that leads to registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council. Please contact TeachNZ if you have questions or require further information.