| Who applies?
ITPs, PTEs, Universities, Wānanga
| Fund focus:
Learner focus, Domestic students, Students with disabilities, Pacific students, Maori
|
| Status:
Ongoing
| Agreed through?
Investment Plan (on Plan)
|
Equity funding is a government contribution to help improve equity of access and achievement for Māori, Pasifika and students with disabilities. Evidence shows that these three groups experience clear disadvantages within the tertiary education system.
Improving equity of access and achievement for all learners is a core part of the tertiary sector’s contribution to New Zealand’s educational priorities. TEOs need to respond to the diverse needs and aspirations of students of all ethnicities, genders, ages and socio-economic backgrounds.
The purpose of Equity funding is to provide additional support to improve participation, retention, completion and progression of learners of the targeted groups. Government expectations about the type of support offered are set out in Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success, TEC’s Pasifika Framework, and Kia Orite: Achieving Equity. Practical information for improving learner success can be found at Ako Aotearoa's Resource Centre.
Equity funding is not intended to be the sole or primary source of funding used to support Māori and Pasifika students and students with disabilities. It is a ‘top-up’ to SAC funding, in recognition of the higher costs that can be associated with supporting these students.
Funding generated by EFTS related to each group must be spent on that group. For example, funding generated from Māori EFTS must only be spent on supporting Māori students.
Any TEO that receives funding must abide by a number of rules and conditions.
Access to Equity funding will be considered in accordance with government policy (as directed by the Minister’s determination under section 159L of the Education Act 1989), the Tertiary Education Strategy and in response to performance.
Any TEO[1] that receives funding must abide by a number of rules and conditions.
Access to Equity funding will be considered in accordance with government policy (as directed by the Minister’s determination under section 159L of the Education Act 1989), the Tertiary Education Strategy and in response to performance.