Fees and scholarships
Fees and funding
Don't let the cost of education put you off studying — there are ways to study for free or get funding to reduce your tuition fees.
Every qualification has its tuition fee listed on its programme page. This is the cost of your study. However, there may be additional costs such as tools, uniforms and equipment. Check the programme information page for the most up-to-date information about costs.
Ways to fund your study
Fees Free
Starting tertiary study or training for the first time?
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to access Fees Free for your final year of study or training.
To check if you meet residency and prior study and training criteria, visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.
If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through the IRD from 2026 onwards.
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. The 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.
Youth Guarantee Scheme
The Youth Guarantee is a funding scheme for domestic students 16–24 years old (or 15 if you’ve got an early leaving exemption letter). If you haven't already studied at Level 2 or Level 3, you can enrol in programmes at these levels, full-time or part-time, cost-free.
We have various Level 2 and 3 programmes available under this scheme which can prepare you with practical skills for work. When you study any of these, the Youth Guarantee Fees Scheme covers your tuition fees and the material and equipment costs of your programme.
Free Fees for Foundation Skills Level 2
We offer free fees to domestic students that do not already hold a Level 2 or higher qualification for our Level 2 Foundation Skills programme. Some restrictions may apply.
He Toki Trades Training
If you are Māori or Pasifika, are 16-40 years old, and want to learn and earn in a practical, hands-on environment, consider our He Toki pathways. With He Toki, you'll be supported to gain a Level 3 certificate in carpentry or electrical pre-trades. You'll get a unique and empowering learning experience that has te reo, tikaka and mentorship at the heart of everything. And the programme is free for full-time learners.
Scholarships
TIP: Start searching for scholarships early so you don’t miss the deadlines!
Student Services Fee
StudyLink loans & allowances
You can apply to StudyLink for a student loan, a student allowance and course-related costs. This is only available for domestic students.
Student Loan
You can get a Student Loan to pay your study fees, your course-related costs and your living costs. If none of the other options on this page are relevant to you, you should consider applying to StudyLink for a student loan to pay for your study.
Note: You have to pay StudyLink back for any money you borrow for fees, living costs and course-related costs — but not until you have a full-time job.
Student allowance
You may be eligible for a Student Allowance. You don’t need to repay a Student Allowance as it is not considered part of your loan. Check the criteria for an allowance before you apply for Student Loan living costs. This is important to ensure that you don’t borrow more than you need to.
The StudyLink website has an eligibility test and further information about the options available to you.
Check your eligibility with StudyLink
Zero Fees programmes – for domestic learners
Each year, we offer selected programmes with zero fees for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, helping remove cost as a barrier to study.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
