How new free fees policy works
Govt has budgeted for about 2000 extra students because of the fees-free policy
New Zealanders who have completed less than half a year’s study since leaving school will be eligible for free fees for courses starting in 2018 but full implementation of the policy will be staggered.
A second year of free study will be introduced by 2021 and a third year by 2024.
The public service has been working overtime to meet a rushed timetable to get the first year under way on January 1, after Labour brought it forward during the election campaign from a 2019 start to a 2018 start.
Students enrolling will pay no fees but will have to pass if they want to delay study to access the next free year in 2021. The policy covers fees up to $12,000.
Because industry training fees are lower and are often not full-time, the fees-free access will cover programmes for up to two years.
Foreigners who can work in New Zealand will be able to access feesfree industry training immediately so long as they have not undertaken the equivalent of half a year of full-time tertiary education.
A spokesman for Education Min- ister Chris Hipkins says he was advised that only 50 to 60 were expected to participate.
University and other provider– based courses are eligible for New Zealanders, Australians or a resident of New Zealand who have lived here for at least three years on a residenceclass visa, or a refugee or family member of a refugee. There will be no age restrictions. Hipkins said about 30,000 students are expected to study feesfree at university in the first year, and 50,000 in polytechnics, wa¯nanga, private colleges, apprenticeships and other industry training.
The Government had budgeted for a 3 per cent increase in equivalent fulltime students, or about 2000 extra students, because of the fees-free policy.
He and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced details of the policy yesterday at Aotea College in Porirua.
Ardern said the policy would help not only secondary school students, but also factory floor workers about to be replaced by machines.
“This is the beginning of us meeting the challenges of the future, but it’s also about investing in your future. Enjoy your next stage of education.”
However National Party tertiary education spokesman Paul Goldsmith has said the policy will devote scarce education resources “to the sons and daughters of the richest New Zealanders, who will go on to earn high incomes and can easily contribute to the cost of their education”.
He said the policy would cost billions and have very little impact on the number of students studying.
New Zealand’s tertiary education system is already heavily subsidised and the average student loan is paid off in less than seven years.”
The Government has also lifted student allowances and student loan living cost limits by $50 a week, giving young people who study $50 more a week than the dole. Not enrolled in school when your qualification starts, and either Have been enrolled at school in 2017 or 2018, or Have not have undertaken previous study or training of more than 60 credits, except while you were at school. Enrol in an eligible qualification. The three-year residency status is not required for apprentices or industry training but they will have to be entitled to work in New Zealand.