Understanding boarding school allowances

It can be a long commute to school each day when you live on a farm or across water and there’s no guarantee there will be a bus or water taxi stopping anywhere nearby. It’s little wonder many farmers look into sending their children to boarding school.

School-aged children of farmers and their staff who live in remote areas could be eligible to receive a boarding school allowance. This is a contribution towards fees for a boarding school or boarding in a private home with someone who is not related to them. It’s worth noting that this allowance will not cover the full cost of boarding and is only for students in Year 9 -13 (that’s 3rd – 7th Form if you’re old school!).

There are two types of allowances and students can only receive one at a time. Students must meet certain criteria’s to be granted these allowances.

• The Access Barrier Allowance - is for students with no suitable school within a reasonable traveling distance.

• The Multiple Barrier Allowance - is for students who experience hardship in their local school environment and will need to be referred to be eligible.

Students that face long distances may also get an annual allowance for travel per year.

Parents/caregivers need to apply for the allowance to the Ministry of Education each year and, if approved, it is paid quarterly directly to the school or private boarding house.

Learn more via the Ministry of Education.