Student accommodation during COVID-19

Kia ora, AUTSA has heard concerns from our students in university accommodation, reflecting the financial pressure being placed on all of our students, whether living at home, in private rentals or university accommodation.

Your student representatives have brought these concerns to AUT, specifically to ask what AUT can do to support our students at this time. We are listening and we will continue to listen, so please send us your opinions and feedback.

AUT residential villages remain open, with increased service and support including free meals to residents who chose to stay on-site during the lockdown period. In addition to ensuring those remaining in university accommodation are catered for, AUT has offered students who do not wish to continue staying in accommodation with the option to cancel their contracts early.

I’ve gone home temporarily but what financial support can I get?

For those who are temporarily away from the accommodation, unable to return until the alert level lowers, AUT has issued a $60 per week discount for utilities to be credited to accounts this week. Additionally, an AUT student financial assistance fund is available for any students facing financial challenges.

Going through some personal stuff that’s affecting your wellbeing or your ability to study and do well academically?

AUTSA continues to provide our Advocacy Team who are available to help you with these applications. If your wellbeing, accommodation or employment has been impacted recently, then please contact us at advocacy@aut.ac.nz

We understand that these are challenging times for all our students, and in addition to working with AUT to ensure support for those in university accommodation, we will be petitioning the government to ensure there is sufficient support for all our students.