Use our free advocacy service 

We all need someone who can support us. Our advocacy service is professional and confidential. We are 100% independent from the University, which means the advice which we provide will always be in your best interest, and won’t be influenced by any university source.  

We help many students a year, and we’re here to help you.

What we can do:

  • help you understand your options, rights and responsibilities

  • help you raise an an issue or make a complaint

  • facilitate communication, mediate disputes, problem-solve

  • assist you in appeal procedures

  • prepare you for meetings and even attend them with you

  • advocate on your behalf

  • refer you to the best services to help

Contact us if you:

  • feel you've been treated unfairly, or think a university policy or rule has been applied poorly or unfairly to your situation or circumstance.

  • are seeking information or referrals about non-academic issues affecting your studies like employment disputes, finances and tenancy problems.

  • want to clarify your options, rights or responsibilities

  • need to understand which policies or procedures apply to your situation

  • need someone to advise on any problems between yourself and another member of the University community

  • are appealing a grade or making another academic decision

  • have been harassed or are feeling unsafe on campus.

Need help with something?

Connect directly with our confidential advocacy service by filling the form below.

Pūtea Āwhina/Hardship fund

All students pay a levy to the Hardship Fund, which allocates money to financially troubled students through an application process. 

Grants are decided via the Hardship Committee on a weekly basis after your appointment with a Student Financial Adviser. Successful applicants are notified on the next Wednesday after their appointment.

For more information:

If you need help making ends meet, VUWSA can help out with the food side of things: