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.

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

• 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.