Before you apply

Here are the things you need to know and check before you apply for Fees Free.

When to apply for Fees Free

You must apply for Fees Free within 1 year of completing your qualification or programme. For qualifications or programmes completed in the 2025 calendar year, you have until 31 December 2026 to apply. 

The best time for you to apply

The best time to apply is after we've received information from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) confirming you've completed a qualification or programme.

We suggest you wait for this to happen before completing your application, because we will pre-fill your application with these details: 

• Tertiary education organisation where your study or work-based learning was completed
• Date you completed the qualification or programme
• Name of the qualification or programme
• Qualification number (code)
• Qualification or programme level on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework

This will make completing your application easier. You'll just need your national student number (NSN). Otherwise, you will need to provide all the details yourself.

To work out when we will receive the information from TEC, go to this page.

Application processing times

National student number (NSN)

You'll need to know your NSN when you apply. 

If you're currently at school or enrolled with a tertiary education organisation, you can ask them for your NSN.

You can also contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority or use the Ask Awhina chatbot on their website.

Contact us - NZQA (nzqa.govt.nz)

Who can apply for Fees Free

Only the learner can apply for Fees Free. Even if someone else pays your fees, for example your employer or parent, you will need to apply for Fees Free yourself.

myIR account

You will need a myIR account to apply for Fees Free.

Register a myIR account

First eligible qualification or programme

When you apply, make sure it is for the 1st eligible qualification or programme you have completed.

It’s important you check this information carefully to ensure you receive the correct entitlement. You can change this information in your application if we have pre-filled it and it’s wrong.

Qualification or programme completion date

When you apply, you will be asked for the official completion date for your qualification or programme. This is the day you meet the requirements to be awarded the qualification or programme—it is not your final exam date.

If we have your completion date from TEC, we will pre-fill it in your application. Otherwise, it may be on your New Zealand record of achievement. 

You can download your New Zealand record of achievement from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.

New Zealand record of achievement (nzqa.govt.nz)

The amount of Fees Free you may receive

TEC will calculate the amount of Fees Free you may receive if you meet the eligibility requirements. They will provide this to us.

We will pre-fill this amount in your application if we have it before you apply. We suggest you check this amount against the fees you paid for your final year. Contact us if you think this amount is not right.

Fees Free - contact us