Funding your studies
Funding your study has never been easier with options to suit all learners.
Free and Subsidised Programmes
Students can benefit from the government’s final-year Fees Free tertiary study scheme and NorthTec’s own commitment to providing some programmes with zero fees.
NorthTec’s fees are subsidised by the government to make it easier for New Zealanders to gain tertiary-level skills.
- If you are a first-time tertiary learner, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training. Find out whether you are eligible for Fees Free study at FeesFree.govt.nz.
- All level 1 and 2 programmes have zero tuition fees.
- 16-24 years old? Study for free with Youth Guarantee on selected level 3 certificate programmes
Please note that some programmes with zero fees may have additional costs for materials or a compulsory student services fee (CSSF).
Starting tertiary study for the first-time? You may be able to get Fees Free for the final year of your qualification. When you enrol for your study or training you will still need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost you may wish to apply for a Student Loan through StudyLink.
- Fees Free is only available for the first qualification or programme you complete at Levels 3 and above.
- Fees Free can only be used once. You can't have already used the first-year or final-year fees free schemes.
- If you have a Student Loan, your Fees Free entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan.
For more information and to check if you meet the residency and prior study and training criteria please see feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.
If you are aged 16 to 24, you could study for FREE as part of the government's Youth Guarantee fund. To qualify for the Youth Guarantee fund, you must meet the following criteria:
- Complete an application for a course that is covered by the Youth Guarantee fund.
- Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
- Be 16 to 24 years old at the time the course starts. Learners who are 15 years old and hold Ministry approved early leaving exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.
Priority places will be given to students who:
- have not yet achieved NCEA Level 1 or NCEA Level 2; or
- have completed a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification through a Youth Guarantee provision programme.
All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status is required. Programme entry criteria may apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact Studylink for more information.
Study Link
If you're studying, you can apply for a loan and allowance to help with course fees, course-related costs and living expenses. You may also be able to get help during your study break.
Remember, apply early!
StudyLink can provide everything you need to fund your study. They offer:
- Student Loans
- Student Allowance
- Financial support during a break in your study
- Extra help with accommodation, childcare, and health and disabilities
- Grants and scholarships
Student Loans
There are three parts to a Student Loan – compulsory course fees, course-related costs, and living costs. You can choose how much you want to borrow, but you will have to pay this back.
It takes time to process a Student Loan application, so NorthTec recommends you apply as soon as you can before your study or training starts. This will help make sure your money is organised in time for you to begin. If you currently receive Sole Parent Support or Supported Living Payments, please see your Work and Income Case Manager to let them know you have enrolled for a course at NorthTec. Do this before making your StudyLink application.
You can find more detail about StudyLink online at www.studylink.govt.nz.
Student Allowance
A Student Allowance is a weekly payment to help with your living expenses while you study full time. How much you get each week will depend on your personal circumstances. You don’t have to pay the Student Allowance back. You can apply for this at StudyLink.
Scholarships
There are many grants and scholarships available to help finance your studies.
- StudySpy – Search Aotearoa's largest database of scholarships by location, study level, and ethnicity.
Don't know where to start? Get in touch with our Student Support Champions who can help you each step of the way.
Payments
Need to make a payment? See more details about making a payment.
