Fees Free for students
Find out if Fees Free can cover your final year of study, how to claim it, and what happens when the scheme ends.
Fees Free ends on 31 December 2026
- The Government is ending final-year Fees Free on 31 December 2026.
- If you complete an eligible qualification in 2026, you can still apply within 12 months of finishing, up to 31 December 2027.
- If you complete your qualification in 2027 or later, you won’t be eligible, even if you started studying in 2025 or 2026.
What Fees Free covers
Fees Free pays up to $12,000 towards the fees for the final year of your first eligible qualification.
You still need to pay your fees when you enrol. Many students use a student loan to cover this. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink (opens in a new tab).
If you get Fees Free and have a student loan, Inland Revenue pays your entitlement towards your loan. If you don’t have a loan, it’s paid into a bank account you choose.
Who is eligible
In general, you need to:
- complete your first eligible qualification or programme by 31 December 2026
- meet the residency requirements on the day you complete it.
You may not be eligible if you have:
- studied or done work-based learning before
- already had Fees Free
- used the Training Incentive Allowance to pay your final-year fees.
Some shorter qualifications, like certificates, can use up your entitlement if you complete them before a degree or diploma.
Check your eligibility at Fees Free – Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab).
How to claim Fees Free
- Add your IRD number when you enrol. You’ll be asked for it in the annual enrolment questions in MyWaikato (opens in a new tab).
- Complete your qualification by 31 December 2026.
- Wait until Inland Revenue has your completion details from us. This is the best time to apply.
- Apply through myIR (opens in a new tab) within 12 months of completing
You don’t need to give us your IRD number if you’ve already had Fees Free or know your qualification isn’t eligible.
Scholarships and Fees Free
If you have a scholarship that covers fees, the scholarship regulations explain how the award is paid.
Explore University of Waikato Scholarships.
Need help?
Student Advisors at Te Manawa Student Centre can answer general questions about Fees Free.
- Phone 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528)
- Email info@waikato.ac.nz
For questions about student loans and allowances, contact StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00.