Final year Fees-Free
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.