Fees Free

First introduced in 2018 in a bid to expand participation in tertiary education and reduce student debt, the Fees Free scheme is due to undergo a considerable change in 2025.

What you need to know about changes to the Fees Free scheme

The Government recently announced that it will wrap up the current scheme, which covers fees for the first year of study, at the end of 2024. A new final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from January 2025.

Want to start studying in 2024? Find out about first-year Fees Free*

Fees Free tertiary education and training is a policy introduced in 2018 to expand participation in tertiary education and reduce student debt in New Zealand. It is targeted towards first-time learners.

If you are a first-time tertiary learner, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training. If you are eligible, we’ll organise payment of your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission.

Who can get first-year Fees Free?

Those at school or recent school leavers
  • You can get first-year Fees Free if you have been enrolled in a school in or after 2022 (other than as an adult learner) and you meet the citizenship or residency criteria.
Those who left school before 2022
  • You can get first-year Fees Free if you meet the prior study and training criteria and meet the citizenship or residency criteria.

How do I check if I can get first-year Fees Free?

Go to feesfree.govt.nz and enter your National Student Number (NSN) to find out your eligibility status and if you need to take any next steps.

If you can’t remember your NSN, you can request it from NZQA here.

You’ll also need to check that the course or training programme you’re enrolling in is covered by Fees Free. Ask the organisation who runs it whether it is, or find the course and programme eligibility criteria on the Fees Free website.

What does first-year Fees Free cover?

  • Tuition fees
  • Compulsory course costs, and
  • Student services fees.

If you’re doing provider-based study, you may also be able to get a Student Loan to help with course related and living costs. For more information on Student Loans and Allowances go to studylink.govt.nz.

Other funds and Fees Free eligibility

If you have studied or trained using the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Fund (MPTT), Youth Guarantee Fund (YG) or Refugee English Fund, you may still be eligible for Fees Free. Check your eligibility at feesfree.govt.nz.

Fees Free guide

Fees Free Guide PDF, 295.22 KB

If you would like to discuss your options, please contact our friendly Ask Me! student services centre.

Final-year Fees Free

Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy.

However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’.

For more information on first-year free transition rules, visit feesfree.govt.nz/2025.

New to study in 2025? Find out about final-year Fees Free*

Few details about the new final-year scheme have been announced so far, but we do know that:

  • Learners entering their final year of study or training from 1 January 2025 and who have not received first-year Fees Free may be eligible for the new final-year Fees Free^ scheme.
  • Eligibility will include provider- and work-based study or training at Levels 3 and above on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
  • Repayment will be made after the learner completes their qualification, with refunds starting from 2026.

The first-year Fees Free scheme will continue to operate until 31 December 2025 under transition settings.

For more information on Fee Free 2025, visit feesfree.govt.nz/2025. We’ll continue to update our website when we have more information.

Started in 2024 and continuing into 2025? Find out what these changes mean for your study

Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy.

However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’.

For more information on first-year free transition rules, visit feesfree.govt.nz/2025.

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*Fees Free: Free study for the first or final year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the Government’s Fees Free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student. Note: The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from January 2025. Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy. However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’. For more information, visit feesfree.govt.nz/2025.