I’ve previously undertaken a course with zero fees, does this count as prior study or training?
Yes, all study and training, regardless of whether fees were associated with the course, whether you paid the fees directly, or if you have ever accessed (or repaid) a Student Loan, is considered when determining eligibility. This demonstrates you are not a first-time learner.
Unsure of some of these terms? Check out our glossary.
- 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’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?
- What do I do if I’m eligible for Fees Free but I’ve already enrolled in study or training?
- Can I get Fees Free if I study at an overseas tertiary education organisation?
- I’m eligible for Fees Free. Can I access Fees Free for distance or part-time study?
- 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?
- Is my course or programme eligible for Fees Free?
- Do I need to tell my tertiary education organisation (TEO) that I got a ‘Yes’ result when I checked my eligibility status?
- I’ve done study through the Refugee English Fund. Can I get Fees Free?
- I’m a citizen of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau, am I eligible for 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?
- What is the eligibility criteria for provider-based study?
- What is the eligibility criteria for industry-based 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?
- I’ve previously undertaken a course with zero fees, 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?
- Can I access Fees Free at more than one provider?
- Can I access Fees Free at both a provider and industry training organisation at the same time?
- I’m an apprentice and enrolled through an industry training organisation (ITO). Am I eligible for Fees Free?
- I’m an apprentice and enrolled through a provider. Am I eligible for Fees Free?
- How do EFTS work?
- I’m eligible for Fees Free but have still been invoiced by my TEO. Why haven’t my fees been paid?
- 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?
- I need to submit a statutory declaration to declare I am eligible for Fees Free. Do I need to do this by a certain date?
- I submitted a statutory declaration last year, but did not begin studying. Do I need to submit a new one when I begin studying?
- 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?
- 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 provider?
- I started accessing Fees Free last year, but still have some fees-free 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?
- 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?
- I started study in 2018 or 2019 but still have some fees-free entitlement left over to use. Do I need to apply to StudyLink to cover the rest of my fees?
- If I change providers part-way through my study, can I get fees-free study at my new provider?
- Can I get Fees Free if I enrol at both a provider and an industry training organisation?
- Can I use my remaining fees-free entitlement for distance study? For example, online study?
- Can I use my remaining fees-free entitlement if I study part-time?
- If I pay my own study fees now can I use my remaining fees-free entitlement later?
- I started fees-free study/training in 2018 or 2019. I’m continuing study/training in 2020, do I need to re-check my eligibility?
- I know I have some fees-free entitlement (dollars) left to use, do I need to tell my provider?
- I’ve done study through the Refugee English Fund. Can I get Fees Free?
- I’m eligible for Fees Free and have done study/training which had no costs. Does this count as me using Fees Free?