In December 2017, the government
released further details about the implementation of it’s “fees-free” policy,
for students in tertiary education, starting with those embarking on their
first year of study. From January 2018, the government will pay up to $12,000,
to cover tuition fees, associated mandatory fees and compulsory student-service
fees, for the equivalent of the first year of full time tertiary study.
How the policy is going to work
The Tertiary Education
Commission (TEC) is the lead agency in the implementation of the fees-free
policy. New Zealand citizens and residents who have lived in New Zealand for at
least three years, attending university direct from school, will be eligible.
Other categories of resident, including refugees, may also qualify.
Eligible students will not be charged
for their first-year fees
New students,
who are eligible for fees-free, may wonder if they will be billed for their
fees, and then reimbursed. The short answer is no, in the vast majority of
cases it won’t work like that. The government has opted for a “provider
payment’ model, meaning that it will pay the fees to the university. This
should make the fees-free policy relatively straight forward for the student.
The university
systems have been adapted to be able to recognise eligible fees-free students.
When a student enrolls, they can see the fees owed for their programme. Once the
government makes the payment to the university for an eligible fees-free
student, this will show as paid on the students account.
When students are unsure of their
eligibility
Students can
check their eligibility on the TEC website. They will need a National Student
Number (NSN) to do this. Current students should already have an NSN.
www.feesfree.govt.nz
Where the
eligibility status is “unknown”, this means the TEC has been unable to verify
whether the student meets the criteria. In this case the student will be asked
to complete a statutory declaration. The statutory declaration will need to be
witnessed by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or solicitor. You can find a local
list of JPs on the “Find a JP” at
www.justiceofthepeace.org.nz
Looking ahead
The Minister of
Education, Chris Hipkins, is working extensively with tertiary providers as
they seek to implement the policy. There may be more changes surrounding eligibility
for 2019, so please watch this space.
Genevieve Brown
Careers
Coordinator – Marist College