Learners

• I would like to make a complaint about a Provider, how do I do that?

  Provider complaints are handled by NZQA in the first instance.

• What are the services offered by StudyLink?

  StudyLink is a New Zealand government organisation seeking to ensure that students get the finance and support they are entitled to so they can complete their study.

• I have just left school. What do I need to apply for a TOPS/Youth Course?

  You can look here at the Directory on the Web to find the various courses on offer. Once you have found one that interests you, you should contact the Training Provider who runs the course and they will help you with the enrolment process.

• My travel allowance hasn't been paid into my bank account.

  Please check with your provider in the first instance to confirm if your verified bank account details and confirmed daily travel have been processed. If this has all been completed as required, you should then ask your Training Provider to contact the TEC Service Centre to find out what may have happened.

• What is a Youth Training course?

  Youth Training (YT) is a TEC-funded programme that focuses on young learners, with no or low qualifications, acquiring a valuable set of foundation skills that enable them to move effectively into sustainable employment and/or higher levels of tertiary education. It targets eligible learners who have left school. It has a strong emphasis on innovation and experimentation, coupled with post…

• What is a Training Opportunities (TOPs) course?

  The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) contracts the TEC to purchase Training Opportunities training. The training is for Work and Income clients who have, or will face, significant periods of unemployment and who have no or low qualifications. It focuses on learners acquiring a valuable set of foundation skills that enable them to move effectively into sustainable employment and/or higher…

• Can a parent/guardian ask about my travel?

  No - because of Privacy Act restrictions we can only deal directly with students.

• How much travel do I get if I'm on a TOP course?

  The TEC may reimburse learners actual travel costs from their home to the agreed training site. Learners must supply evidence to the provider of the actual cost of travelling to and from the training site and verified bank accounts to the provider to receive these payments.

• How much do I get if I travel by car?

  The TEC bases travel reimbursements on public transport rates and average running costs as provided by the Automobile Association. When no public transport is available and learners travel by car, the reimbursement is currently $0.21 per kilometre.

• Are the passengers in my car eligible for a travel allowance?

  No. When learners share a vehicle, the TEC reimburses only the learner responsible for the vehicle.

• What days can I expect travel to be paid into my account?

  Monday or Tuesday every fortnight.

• Can I use someone else's bank account to have my travel reimbursement paid into?

  Yes. Payment to an alternative account will require the account holder to write a letter of authorisation to your Training Provider, permitting the use of their account.

• What is a Work Based training programme?

  This programme has the majority of training taking place in a workplace with the primary outcome expected to be entry into employment.

• Can I go on work experience while on a Youth/TOP programme?

  Yes, this is encouraged. Workplace learning offers learners the chance to practice and develop skills in a real workplace. Most learners should have workplace learning integrated into their programmes.

• Do I still get paid travel if I'm on work experience?

  Yes you will continue to receive the same travel payments that you receive ordinarily. Any additional costs associated with travelling to your workplace are to be covered by your Training Provider.

• I believe I am being overcharged in study fees by a University/Polytechnic, what should I do?

  The Tertiary Education Commission is unable to directly intervene in these situations. Polytechnics and universities are tertiary education institutions (TEI) - under the Education Act 1989, each TEI is autonomous and responsible for managing its own affairs. Each TEI has a complaints resolution process outlined on its website. As a next step, you should raise your concerns/discuss your concern…

• What is Student Allowance? Am I eligible for student allowance?

  Please refer to the StudyLink website for updated information.

• What is the Student Loan Scheme? Am I eligible for a student loan?

  Please refer to the StudyLink website for updated information.

• Where can I study?

  There is a range of tertiary education organisations (TEOs) around the country offering different courses and qualifications. There's useful information under Types of tertiary education or look under Learners and organisations and browse through the list of organisations displayed there. You could also go to the Ministry of Education's www.whichcoursewhere.co.nz website which provides a heap o…

• What is the Privacy Act?

  The Privacy Act makes rules about how information about you is collected and used. Training providers and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) need to know some information about you so they can do their jobs. Information is collected on the enrolment form and a record of your progress is kept during training. Q: Who uses this information? A: The information may be shared with training…