Is my course or programme eligible for fees-free in 2019?
A course or programme needs to meet the following criteria to be eligible for fees-free in 2019:
Course criteria (provider-based study)
To be eligible for fees-free, a course must be:
- funded by the TEC from either:
- the SAC level 3 and above fund, or
- grants under s321 of the Education Act 1989 for tertiary provision that is part of a qualification or training scheme on the NZQF at level 3 or above, or
- the Youth Guarantee fund and leads to the award of a qualification on the NZQF at level 3 or above, and
- not part of a school learning programme or secondary-tertiary programme.
Programme criteria (industry training)
To be eligible for fees-free, an industry training programme must be:
- at NZQF level 3 or above, and
- approved by NZQA, and
- comprised of at least 120 credits (which includes all New Zealand Apprenticeships), and
- not part of a school learning programme or secondary-tertiary programme.
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?
- I did National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 courses at school. Do they count as prior study?
- I’ve done tertiary study overseas. Am I still eligible?
- How do EFTS work?
- In 2019, 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 provider?
- I’m eligible for fees-free. Can I get fees-free for distance study? For example, online study?
- Can I get fees-free if I study part-time?
- I’m an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident, am I eligible for fees-free study?
- I’m not sure of my residency status, who can I contact to check this?
- How do I appeal my fees-free eligibility result?
- Is my course or programme eligible for fees-free in 2019?
- Do I need to tell my provider or industry training organisation that I got a ‘Yes’ result when I checked my eligibility?
- I’ve done study through the Refugee English Fund. Can I get fees-free?
- Can I study at more than one provider?
- Can I study and train at both a provider and industry training organisation?
- 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 polytechnic. Am I 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 form?
- Where should I email my signed and witnessed statutory declaration?
- What happens if I give false information on my statutory declaration form?
- Do I need to tell my provider or industry training organisation when I’ve submitted my statutory declaration form?
- I need to submit a statutory declaration form to declare I am eligible for fees-free. Do I need to do this by a certain date?
- 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 and StudyLink haven't paid my provider yet?
- What do I do if I’m eligible for fees-free but have already paid fees to my provider?
- I started study in 2018 but still have some fees-free entitlement left over to use in 2019. Do I need to apply to StudyLink to cover the rest of my fees?
- If I pay my own study fees now can I use my remaining fees-free entitlement later?
- What do I do if I’m eligible for fees-free, but I’ve already applied for a Student Loan and StudyLink have already paid my provider?
- What should I do if I have a scholarship for 2018?
- Does fees-free affect New Zealand scholarships?
- If I did less than $12,000 worth of study in 2018, 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 but still have some fees-free entitlement left over to use this year. Do I need to apply to StudyLink to cover the rest of my fees?
- How do EFTS work?
- If I change providers in 2019, 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. I’m continuing study/training in 2019, do I need to re-check my eligibility?
- Is my course or programme eligible for fees-free in 2018?
- I need to submit a statutory declaration form to declare I am eligible for fees-free. Do I need to do this by a certain date?
- I know I have some fees-free entitlement (dollars) left to use in 2019, do I need to tell my provider?
- Does fees-free affect New Zealand scholarships?
- What should I do if I have a scholarship for 2018?
- 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?