Changes to tertiary funding from 2018

The Government has announced proposals to introduce:

• one year of fees-free tertiary education, and
• a $50 a week increase to student allowances and living cost loans.

These are intended to come into effect from 1 January 2018.

Inland Revenue, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development (StudyLink), the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and other agencies are working together on these proposals.

Final decisions around details are currently being considered. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the near future. Any changes that might be put in place as a result of the new legislation will not affect how borrowers currently pay off their student loan.

More information will be made available as soon as possible:

• to students through the StudyLink website, and
• to providers through the TEC's website