Fees Free And Studylink
Final year fees free
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme. Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
Youth Guarantee Funded Courses
A great way to start. If you're not sure what to do, take the first step with a Level 2 Foundation course or one of our excellent Level 3 courses. If you are aged 16-24, the Youth Guarantee scheme gives you the chance to study free for up to one year.
Places in these programmes are limited and often fill really quickly. To avoid disappointment it is best to get your application in as soon as possible!
FInd out more about this scheme here.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 2025, Fees Free covers the final year of study or training for the first qualification an eligible learner completes. To find out which of our courses are eligible under the Final Year Fees Free Scheme, you can chat to one of our course advisors. To understand if you are eligible as a learner, we recommend you review the eligibility criteria which you can find on https://www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free
When you enrol, you will need to arrange payment of your fees. You may wish to apply for a student loan to help you cover the fees, our course advisors would be happy to help you with this process. You don’t need to do anything else until you complete your first eligible qualification, at which point you will be able to make a claim through myIR on the Inland Revenue website. This is available from early 2026.
The “final year” of provider-based study covers up to 1 EFTS (120 credits), or up to $12,000 including GST (whichever you reach first). The “final year” of study may also be the first year of study, where a qualification is 120 credits or less. If you didn’t use the $12,000 entitlement for the final year of your first qualification or programme, you won’t be able to access Fees Free again for a second qualification or programme.
If you’re eligible, Fees Free covers the fees for the final year of tertiary study or training in the first qualification you complete after 1 January 2025, up to $12,000 including GST. Fees Free will cover only the final year of one qualification or programme. Final-year Fees Free covers tuition fees, compulsory course costs and student services fees for provider-based learners.
Send us a message and one of our course advisors would be happy to chat with you. Alternatively, there is more information provided by Inland Revenue on the Fees Free website - https://www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free