Pūtea Tautoko provides financial relief to current University of Otago students.
The Pūtea Tautoko fund was established in 2020 specifically to manage COVID-19-related financial hardship. Since that time, the provisions of the fund have been adapted to meet the wider financial needs of our students, but always with strict eligibility criteria applied. It was recognised that the requirements, including that the cause of hardship be “unforeseen”, limited access to the fund for many students in genuine need.
To address this, from 2026, enrolment fees at the University of Otago include a compulsory annual fee to fund a larger and more accessible Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund. This approach was supported by the majority of respondents to a survey sent to all students enrolled in October 2024 and was approved by the University Council in August 2025.
More information about Pūtea Tautoko is available in the Pūtea Tautoko Policy.
View the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund Policy and Procedure
What is the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund Fee?
Requiring payment of a compulsory fee towards student hardship allows the University to establish a funding pool large enough to support any student in financial hardship. This means the most restrictive eligibility criteria can be removed, and any student who is able to provide sufficient evidence of hardship can be supported by the fund.
The fee is $20 (GST inclusive), paid annually at the first enrolment period for a calendar year. The fee does not change in relation to the enrolment period, and a student will only pay one fee in an academic year. For example:
- A student enrolling in one Summer School paper will pay $20
- A student enrolling in papers in Summer School, first semester and second semester in one calendar year will pay $20
All students enrolling at the University of Otago are required to pay the fee, except for the following groups:
- Incoming Study Abroad and incoming Exchange students (as they will be supported by their home institution)
- ‘Interest only’ enrolments
- Secondary school students
- English Language Centre students
- Students enrolled in Pathway’s Bridging Programme
- University of Otago staff enrolled as students
- Students enrolling in Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Management (PCEXMA01) and Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Management (PDEXMA01)
The fee applies to enrolments that are domestic or international, full-time or part-time, undergraduate or postgraduate, on any campus or by distance, and includes students enrolled in Pathway’s Foundation Studies and Level 5 Diploma courses.
In exceptional circumstances, a refund of the fee may be authorised. Requests for exemptions should made via email.
Email student.relief@otago.ac.nz
Is the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund Fee covered by Studylink?
Yes, if you are taking out a student loan through Studylink for the payment of your tuition fees, this compulsory payment will be included in the tuition fee payment from your approved loan made by Studylink directly to the University.
Refunds of the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund Fee
Refunds will not normally be permitted. If you think you have exceptional circumstances that warrant a refund, please contact the Manager Student Relief Funds via email.
Email student.relief@otago.ac.nz
Important things to know about Pūtea Tautoko
Grants are usually between NZ$500 and NZ$2,000 and are typically provided to assist students with meeting necessary living costs when they are in hardship.
Outcomes are normally delivered within 20 working days; however, this can vary.
It is possible to apply for and receive Pūtea Tautoko funding more than once. Students can only receive one grant per semester unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Anyone in receipt of a Pūtea Tautoko grant who is found to have provided misleading information, or used any of the funding inappropriately, may be required to repay the grant (in whole or in part), and may be barred from making future applications to the Fund.
Application requirements for Pūtea Tautoko
An application for financial support from Pūtea Tautoko will need to make clear the nature and extent of financial hardship the applicant is experiencing. The table below outlines some common reasons for hardship and examples of documentation to support such circumstances.
| Possible hardships | Documentation examples |
|---|---|
| Natural disaster |
|
Personal event such as crime
|
|
| Medical |
|
Financial hardship
|
|
Family
|
|
The application requires applicants to confirm they have already tried all other possible sources of financial support.
For example:
- StudyLink
- Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ)
- Savings
- Funding providers already supporting the student’s enrolment, such as sponsors and research grant organisations
Evidence of hardship
Applicants are required to provide evidence of their financial situation, such as:
- Bank statements
- Invoices or bills
- Other documentation considered necessary to support the application
Referee for your Pūtea Tautoko application
Referee details will need to be submitted as part of the application.
The referee must be someone impartial who can confirm the applicant's circumstances.
Suitable referees may include your head of college, thesis supervisor, lecturer, University of Otago-employed tutor, or staff members from support services, depending on your circumstances. International students on a New Zealand scholarship should seek a reference from a staff member from the International Office.
Appropriate referees outside of the University include your general practitioner/doctor, current employer, ex-employer, or other recognised community leaders.
In rare circumstances, a family member might be the most appropriate referee. Please check with the Manager Student Relief Funds via email if you are unsure whether your proposed referee is suitable.
Email student.relief@otago.ac.nz
Incomplete applications
Incomplete applications will be declined.
Apply in eVision for the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund
Applications to the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund are completed in the ‘My Finance’ section of eVision.
Advisory Group and Panel assessment for Pūtea Tautoko
Because the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief fund is financed predominantly by student fees, the operational aspects of the fund are guided by a Student Advisory Group.
In 2026, the Student Advisory Group will comprise the following student representatives from the Otago University Students Association (OUSA):
- President
- Welfare and Equity representative
- Finance and Strategy representative
- International Students’ Representative
- Postgraduate Students’ Representative
- Tumuaki Te Rōpū Māori
- President Pacific Islands Students’ Association
The panel which assesses applications includes:
- Director of Student Services
- Manager of Student Pastoral Care
- Manager of Māori Centre
- Manager of Pacific Islands Centre
- Manager Te Pou Whirinaki, Student Wellbeing Hub
- Manager of Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
- Manager of OUSA Student Support
- Manager of Student Relief Funds
Other relevant staff will be co-opted in, as necessary.
Strict confidentiality is observed when considering applications for support from the Fund.
If you require further information
Email student.relief@otago.ac.nz
Other support options
MB ChB students can also apply for a Medical Hardship grant first. If you need a loan laptop only, you can apply to Pūtea Tautoko.
Find more information on hardship support for medical students
Students living in University-owned colleges, and UniFlats residents, can also contact the warden or sub-warden to see if any financial support is available.
Links to University-owned colleges and UniFlats can be found on the AskOtago Knowledgebase
OUSA Student Support — financial assistance
Te Pou Whirinaki, the student wellbeing hub in the ISB, for connection with other support services provided by the University.
Email wellbeinghub@otago.ac.nz