I haven’t studied in New Zealand before. Does my overseas study or training count as prior study or training?
Yes. Any tertiary study or training undertaken in any other country counts, as Fees Free is for first-time learners. This may include post-compulsory education and training, and vocational, technical or academic pathways.
If you have questions about your eligibility, including prior study or training, please contact us on 0800 601 301 or at [email protected].
Unsure of some of these terms? Check out our glossary.
- What’s new for Fees Free in 2025?
- I’m starting study/training in 2025. Can I get my final year covered?
- I’m not sure if I can use my remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement in 2025. How can I check?
- I have Fees Free entitlement remaining from my first year. Will I be able to use it in 2025?
- I’m able to use my remaining first-year Fees Free entitlement. What do I need to do?
- I’ve received an invoice for fees. Why?
- I started studying in 2024 but I want Fees Free to cover the final year of my qualification, not my first year. Can I do that?
- I’m changing providers in 2025 to continue working towards the same qualification I started in 2024. Will my fees be covered?
- What does 'same qualification' mean?
- I don’t yet meet the residency criteria to be eligible for Fees Free – but part way through my course or programme, I will. Can I get Fees Free for 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?
- What does ‘undertaken study or training’ mean exactly?
- What are EFTS and how do they work?
- I’ve already done a course with zero fees. Does this count as prior study or training?
- I did some tertiary study while I was still at secondary 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?
- 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?
- I’ve already undertaken tertiary study or training in New Zealand as an international student. Does this count as prior study or training?
- I’ve studied before, but it was part time. Does this count as prior study or training?
- I’ve already undertaken workplace training or an apprenticeship. Does this count as prior study or training?
- Can I use my NZQA Record of Achievement to find out how much prior study or training I've undertaken?
- How much study or training can I get Fees Free?
- What fees are covered by Fees Free?
- Does Fees Free cover fees related to 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?
- If I did less than $12,000 worth of provider-based 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’ve 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 previous year and I’m continuing in 2024. Do I need to re-check my eligibility?
- What is a statutory declaration and how do I get one?
- What are the terms and conditions when I declare that I’m 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 didn’t start studying. Do I need to submit a new one when I start?
- Can I use a statutory declaration that wasn’t generated on the Fees Free website?
- 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 (TEO). Why haven’t my fees been paid?
- I am not eligible for Fees Free, what other funding options are available to me?
- I withdrew from my study because of COVID-19. Can I get my Fees Free entitlement reinstated?
- My study was impacted by 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?