Getting ready for 2026

18 August 2025.

Our annual call to action campaign encouraging students to apply for their 2026 student finance has started - and there are lots of things you can do to help.

You can't miss it - StudyLink

Students need to apply for 2026 StudyLink finance before 16 December 2025.

Once again, we're asking students to apply before 16 December.

It's a date students just can't miss, it allows us to manage the volume of applications and help them get organised for the start of their study year.

It also helps education providers because it means fee payments can be made earlier.

Students who apply early will be encouraged to supply all their supporting documents by 16 December as well.

This year’s 'you can't miss it' campaign, uses the existing colourful and fun oversized 16s. As well as videos on the application process and students talking about their experiences getting ready to study.

The campaign

The campaign launched on Monday 22 September.

You'll see it on and around major campuses and online - with videos and imagery on social media.

We'll send direct marketing emails to current tertiary students regularly over the next few months.

After 16 December we'll email any students who still haven't applied to give them another hurry along.

At this point they haven't missed out, but we can't guarantee they've got time to get everything sorted ready for the start of their study.

We'll continue to have online advertising through to the end of January.

How you can help

Please spread the word any way you can. We know the important of peers talking about study and seeing the study process. This year we have videos on the study process, that we are happy for you to use to support students applying.

Videos

All our videos are on our website and on YouTube. The YouTube links to these are below. The short versions (30 seconds) have been designed to use on socials.

Student Loan vs Student Allowance:

Tips for applying online:

Before you apply:

Setting up a RealMe Login:

After I’ve applied:

Text for websites and newsletters

We also have a range of text and imagery for you to use on your website, social media pages and in emails or e-newsletters.

Full text

Apply before 16 December - you can't miss it

If you're studying in 2026, 16 December is a very important date. It's one you just can't miss.

Around 120,000 students will need to get organised for study in 2026. Apply for your student allowance or loan before 16 December to give yourself the best chance of having everything sorted and ready for the start of your course.

If you’ve had a student allowance or loan in the last 12 months, login to MyStudyLink and use the Returning Application to apply. It'll take less than five minutes.

Short version text

Apply before 16 December - you can't miss it

If you're studying in 2026, 16 December is a very important date. It's one you just can't miss.

Apply for your student allowance or loan before 16 December to give yourself the best chance of having everything sorted ready for the start of your course.

Download the "You can't miss it" digital banners (Zip 385.28KB)
Download the "You can't miss it" social media pack (Zip 3.35MB)