Fees-free for students
Find out how Fees Free may help cover study or training costs, what’s required at enrolment, how to confirm eligibility and how to claim.
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.
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.
Studying or training started 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 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.
More information on the first-year Fees Free transition rules
Final-year Fees Free policy
- Fees Free is available for eligible students 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 students 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 about visit the Final year Fees Free website.
Eligibility for Fees Free
To access 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.
Steps to apply for and claim Fees Free
At enrolment
- When you enrol for study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help cover this cost you may wish to apply for a Student Loan through StudyLink.
- Add your I.R.D number in your assumed final year as part of the annual questions when enrolling.
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 will be able to do this through myIR from 2026.
- You have one year to claim your entitlement.
- 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
- We 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 .
- 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.
Scholarships
The University is committed to ensuring that our scholarships advantage students.
If you are awarded a scholarship that includes a fees component, the scholarship regulations will tell you how the award money will be allocated, depending on whether or not you’re eligible for fees-free.
Explore University of Waikato Scholarships.