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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Who is authorised to witness me signing the statutory declaration?
  • How can I get my National Student Number (NSN)?
  • Do I need to tell my tertiary education organisation (TEO) that I got a ‘Yes’ result when I checked my eligibility status?
Residency criteria
  • I’m going to become eligible part way through my study/training by meeting residency requirements, can I get Fees Free for any study or training I do before I become eligible?
  • I’m an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident, am I eligible for Fees Free?
  • I’m not sure of my residency status, who can I contact to check this?
  • I’m a citizen of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, am I eligible for Fees Free?
Prior study and training criteria
  • I’ve previously undertaken a course with zero fees, does this count as prior study or training?
  • I did some tertiary study while I was still at school. Does this count as prior study or training?
  • I did National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 courses at school. Do they count as prior study or training?
  • How do EFTS work?
  • I’ve done study through the Refugee English Fund. Can I get Fees Free?
  • I haven’t studied in New Zealand before, does my overseas study or training count as prior study or training?
  • What does ‘undertaken’ mean in the context of prior study and training?
  • I have previously undertaken tertiary study or training in New Zealand as an international student, does this count as prior study or training?
  • I have studied before, but it was part-time. Does this count as prior study or training?
  • I have previously undertaken workplace training or an apprenticeship. Does this count as prior study or training?
  • Can I check use my NZQA Record of Achievement to find out how much prior study/training I've undertaken?
Course and programme eligibility
  • Is my course, credential or programme eligible for Fees Free?
  • Can I get Fees Free if I study at an overseas tertiary education organisation?
  • Can I access Fees Free for distance or part-time study?
  • What is the difference between ‘provider-based’ and ‘work-based’ learning?
Fees Free criteria for prior years
  • What was the eligibility criteria in 2022?
  • What was the eligibility criteria in 2021?
  • What was the eligibility criteria in 2019 and 2020?
  • What was the eligibility criteria in 2018?
What's included in Fees Free
  • How much study or training can I get Fees Free?
  • What fees will be covered by Fees Free?
  • Does Fees Free cover fees related to the recognition of prior learning (RPL)?
  • Will zero fee courses use my Fees Free entitlement?
  • What fees are not covered by Fees Free?
  • I’m an apprentice and enrolled through a tertiary education organisation. Am I eligible for Fees Free?
  • Can I use Fees Free for both provider-based study and work-based learning at the same time?
  • Can I access Fees Free at more than one provider?
Information for learners with a 'Yes' status
  • Do I need to tell my tertiary education organisation (TEO) that I got a ‘Yes’ result when I checked my eligibility status?
  • What do I do if I’m eligible for Fees Free but I’ve already enrolled in study or training?
Information for learners who have started using Fees Free
  • If I did less than $12,000 worth of study in my first year of study, can I carry the rest over to another year?
  • How can I check how much Fees Free entitlement I have used?
  • If I change providers part-way through my study, can I get Fees Free study at my new provider?
  • I know I have some Fees Free entitlement left to use, do I need to tell my provider?
  • I started Fees Free study/training in a prior year and am continuing study/training in 2023. Do I need to re-check my eligibility?
Statutory declarations
  • What are the terms and conditions of declaring that I am eligible for Fees Free?
  • How long will it take for my statutory declaration to be processed?
  • Who is authorised to witness me signing the statutory declaration?
  • Where should I email my signed and witnessed statutory declaration?
  • What happens if I give false information on my statutory declaration?
  • Do I need to tell my tertiary education organisation (TEO) when I’ve submitted my statutory declaration?
  • Is there a deadline for submitting my statutory declaration?
  • I submitted a statutory declaration last year, but did not begin studying. Do I need to submit a new one when I begin studying?
Student Loans and fees
  • Do I need to apply to StudyLink to access Fees Free?
  • What do I do if I’m eligible for Fees Free, but I’ve already applied for a Student Loan?
  • What do I do if I’m eligible for Fees Free but have already paid fees to my tertiary education organisation?
  • I started accessing Fees Free last year, but still have some entitlement left over to use. Do I need to apply to StudyLink to cover the rest of my fees?
  • If I pay my own tertiary fees now, can I use my Fees Free entitlement later?
  • Does Fees Free affect New Zealand scholarships?
  • I’m eligible for Fees Free but have still been invoiced by my tertiary education organisation. Why haven’t my fees been paid?
COVID-19
  • Due to the COVID-19 restrictions I am unable to get my Statutory Declaration witnessed in person, what do I do?
  • I withdrew from my study because of COVID-19. How can I get my Fees Free entitlement reinstated?
  • My study was impacted due to COVID-19, how do I appeal my entitlement use?
  • Will I be notified when my entitlement is reinstated?
  • I’ve used my Fees Free entitlement already but this was for study in an industry that has been impacted by COVID-19. Can my Fees Free entitlement be reset or can I access Fees Free to study something else?
Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund
  • Some of my fees were paid through the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), but now I need Fees Free to pay the rest. What do I need to do?
  • My course fees were partially covered by the TTAF and partially by Fees Free. How is this calculated, and how much Fees Free entitlement have I used?
Where to get more help
  • How can I get my National Student Number (NSN)?
  • How can I make a complaint?
  • How can I contact Fees Free?
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