This page provides an overview of the information a private training establishment (PTE) needs to apply for funding from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for the first time.
PTEs can only apply for funding when the TEC opens a funding round. The TEC will notify PTEs when funding rounds open via TECNOW, the TEC's email newsletter.
Subscribe to TECNOW, to receive news and information about upcoming funding and changes to policy, and to receive requests and information from the TEC.
Funding eligibility
To receive funding a PTE must:
- meet PTE eligibility criteria
- be successful in a discretionary funding round and have an approved Investment Plan. (Organisations should only submit Investment Plans if they have been provided with an indicative funding allocation from the TEC)
- ensure that the relevant fund eligibility criteria and requirements are met.
Some funds require courses/qualifications to be accredited by NZQA.
Are there any guarantees?
There is no guarantee that you will be successful in applying for funding, even if you meet all of the funding requirements above. For example, this may be because of the limited funding available.
Do I need an Investment Plan?
If you are successful in applying for on-Plan or aligned funding for the first time, payments will only be made to you if you have an approved Investment Plan.
PTEs submit Investment Plans through an on-line tool. This tool is accessed through Workspace.
To access Workspace, you will need ESAA access (Education Sector Authentication and Authorisation). This service is provided by the Ministry of Education.
For further information, see the Investing in a Plan section of the TEC website.
What funds can I apply for?
What funds you can apply for depends on what you will use the funding for, and whether your intended use meets the relevant eligibility criteria (eligibility criteria are to ensure that funding is spent on the purpose for which it is intended).
Information about specific funds that PTEs can apply for can be found on fund pages within the TEC's Funding Information.
If you are unsure about which funds you can apply for, please call the TEC Service Centre on 0800 601 301.
When can I apply for funding?
You can apply for funding when a funding round opens. We will notify you of a funding round via TECNOW.
What's next?
If you are successful in applying for funding for the first time, you will be contacted by the TEC Service Centre to help complete administrative requirements.