Are you doing study or work-based learning from 2025?
If you’re starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time in or after 2025, visit Inland Revenue’s website to find out if you can get Fees Free for the final year when you complete your first qualification or programme.
Started study or work-based learning in 2024 or earlier?
If you started study or work-based learning in 2024 or earlier, check your eligibility below to find out if your fees may be covered for your first year.
Be quick – you will only be able to check your eligibility until 31 December 2025.
Enter your National Student Number (NSN) to find out if you can get Fees Free for 2024 or earlier
Your NSN will be 9 digits or less. If the number you have is more than 9 digits and starts with 0, please remove the 0.
If you have an NSN, but can’t remember what it is, contact your school or provider. You can also contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) on 0800 697 296 (between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday) or by email through the NZQA website.
If you don't have a National Student Number, you'll get one when you enrol. You should check whether you meet the Fees Free eligibility criteria. If you do, you'll need to enter your NSN here to confirm your eligibility status once you have enrolled.
What is Fees Free?
Fees Free is a fund for first-time tertiary learners. It may cover fees for one year's study or two years’ work-based learning – up to $12,000. To get Fees Free, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, and your course or programme must also be eligible.
Fees Free for the first year of study or work-based learning finished at the end of 2024. It has been replaced with Fees Free for the final year of study or work-based learning from 1 January 2025. To find out about Fees Free for the final year, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
On this website you can:
- find out about the end of the first-year Fees Free policy
- read the Fees Free eligibility criteria for 2018 to 2024
- use the NSN checker above to see what eligibility status we have for you, if you started study or training in 2024 or earlier
- find out what to do if you’ve read the eligibility criteria and you think we have the wrong eligibility status for you. (You’ll be guided through this when you use the NSN checker.)