Study Fees Free
Study free with Youth Guarantee
Are you aged 16 to 24 and looking for a course where you can pick up some practical skills? The Youth Guarantee scheme gives you the chance to study free for up to one year.
Places in this programme are limited and often fill really quickly. To avoid disappointment it is best to get your application in as soon as possible!
Full-year programmes available
Who is eligible?
To qualify for study under the Youth Guarantee scheme, you must:
- Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
- Be 16 to 24 years of age before the start of the course.*
- Be prepared to study full-time for up to one year.
- Complete an application form for the course you are interested in.
- Gain a place in that course or programme.
- Be successful in the Youth Guarantee funding interview – you’ll be interviewed once you have gained your place.
*15 year olds who hold ministry-approved early exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.
Fees
Tuition is free for students studying under the Youth Guarantee scheme.
Because the programmes are free, you will not be eligible for student loans for your fees, however:
- If you are 18 you can apply for course related costs and living costs if you meet the eligibility requirements as set out by Studylink.
- You can apply for a student allowance if you meet the eligibility requirements as set out by Studylink.
- Youth Guarantee students are eligible for financial travel support. This funding is linked to your attendance and it is administered by Student Support, not Studylink.
For information about allowances and loan options for any other costs or financial support please check out the Studylink website.
First Year or Final Year Fees Free
If you're planning to start tertiary study for the first time in 2024, you may be eligible for Fees Free support. If you are eligible, we’ll organise payment of your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission.
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
To find out if you are eligible for First Year Fees Free study (ending December 2024) visit the Fees Free website.
You can get more information on the Final Year Fees Free scheme here, or contact the Elite Team for more information on the enrolment process.
To make the enrolment process as smooth as possible, we ask that you arrange yourself a RealMe account. However if you need additional support on this process, please submit your application or enquiry and we can help you with this.
More information
If you would like to talk to someone about your eligibility and apply for a Youth Guarantee place, please contact Elite on 0800 GO ELITE or fill in the form below.
