Get your first year for FREE*

New learners can get one year of Fees Free study. Find out if you can get the equivalent of one year’s full-time study (up to the value of $12,000) fees-free.

Who can get Fees Free?

If you are about to leave OR have recently left school

You can get Fees Free if you:

  • are a domestic student; AND
  • were enrolled in school in 2017 or later (other than as an adult student).
If you have never done any tertiary study OR have done less than half a year of tertiary study

You can get Fees Free if you:

  • are a domestic student; AND
  • have not studied at an institute of technology, polytechnic, private training establishment, university, wānanga or industry/workplace-based training; OR
  • have not studied more than half a year of equivalent full-time tertiary education (0.5 equivalent full-time student (EFTS) or 60 credits) at level 3 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) at an institute of technology, polytechnic, private training establishment, university, wānanga or industry/workplace-based training.

If you are unsure if this applies to you, you can go to feesfree.govt.nz and enter your National Student Number.
If you can’t remember your NSN, you can request it from NZQA here.

For full eligibility criteria, click here.

What study options are covered? 

The programme you are applying for must:

  • be at NZQF level 3 or above;
  • be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority;
  • comprise of at least 120 credits; AND
  • not be part of a school learning programme or secondary-tertiary programme.

If you are unsure, please contact our friendly Ask Me! student services centre.

What does Fees Free cover?

  • Tuition fees
  • Compulsory course costs
  • Compulsory student services fees

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.

*Free study for the first year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the government’s fees-free study scheme. For more information and full eligibility criteria, please visit https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/eligibility-criteria/.