Communications pack for TEOs – final-year Fees Free

This page has content that you can use in your communications and on your website to help learners understand the final-year Fees Free policy.

On this page:

Content for your website

If you are a tertiary education organisation (TEO), update your website to ensure you have the most up-to-date information for learners. We recommend keeping the content simple and directing learners to FeesFree.govt.nz.

You can use the following content on your website.

Content

Starting tertiary study or training for the first-time? You may be able to get Fees Free for the final year of the first provider-based qualification or work-based programme you complete.

When you enrol for your study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost you may wish to apply for a  Student Loan through StudyLink.

To get Fees Free on completion of your final year of study or training you must:

complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
meet the residency criteria at the time you complete your qualification or programme, and
meet the prior study and training criteria, and
not have already used Fees Free.

You don't need to do anything to confirm your eligibility until 2026. However, if you would like to check if you meet the residency and prior study and training criteria before you complete your qualification or programme, you can read the eligibility criteria on the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.

Claiming Fees Free

After you complete your first eligible qualification or programme, you will be able to confirm your eligibility and claim your entitlement. You will be able to do this through myIR from early 2026.

If you have a Student Loan, your Fees Free entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. This will lower the amount you have borrowed. If you don’t have a loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.

Started studying or training before 2025

The Government announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training finished at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy has replaced it, starting from 1 January 2025.

If you used Fees Free in 2024, you may be able to continue to use your remaining first-year entitlement in 2025. For more information on the first-year Fees Free transition rules visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/end-of-first-year.

Key messages

You can use these key messages about final-year Fees Free in your communications and engagements with learners. The Tertiary Education Commission will update these messages if anything changes.

Final-year Fees Free policy

Fees Free is available for eligible learners who complete their first provider-based qualification or work-based programme.
Fees Free covers the final year of study or two years of work-based training, up to $12,000.
Fees Free aims to motivate and reward learners for completing their qualification or programme, and reduce the overall cost of their study and learning.
Fees Free can only be used once.
For more information visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.

Eligibility for Fees Free

To get Fees Free for your final year of study and training you must:

complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
meet the residency criteria at the time you complete, and
meet the prior study and training criteria, and
not have already used Fees Free.

If you would like to check if you meet residency and prior study and training criteria before you complete your qualification or programme visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.

What learners need to do

At enrolment

When you enrol for your study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a Student Loan.

On completion

When you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme, you can confirm your eligibility and claim your Fees Free entitlement.
You have one year to claim your entitlement.
You will be able to do this through myIR from early 2026.
If you have a Student Loan, your entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. If you don’t have a Student Loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.

IRD numbers

Your tertiary education organisation may request your IRD number. This will make it easier for you to claim your Fees Free entitlement after you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme.
You do not need to provide your IRD number if you have already used your Fees Free entitlement or you know your qualification/programme is not eligible for Fees Free.

Shorter qualifications

Keep in mind some shorter qualifications (like certificates) you complete before a degree or diploma may use your Fees Free entitlement. For more information talk to your tertiary education organisation.

Download final-year Fees Free key messages for TEOs – 1 April 2025 (PDF 301 KB)