The Southern Institute of Technology recognises the need for a highly qualified and skilled workforce. The provision of Zero Fees tertiary programmes has enhanced educational opportunities for all students including non-traditional users of tertiary education.
Zero Fees allows New Zealand or Australian citizens or permanent residents the opportunity to study approved programmes without paying the tuition fees.
Zero Fees, where available, applies only to the base tuition fee attached to each programme of study. Particular programmes may incur additional costs to the students, for example: uniform, texts, tools, activities, NZQA charges.
Programmes that are offered under Zero Fees are:
Tertiary Education Commission funded (you must be a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to receive Tertiary Education Commission funding). Of twelve or more weeks in duration. Studied either full time or part time. Leading to a national or local qualification. Invercargill/Gore campuses - Zero Fees applies to all approved programmes. SIT Online distance programmes - Zero Fees applies to all programmes.
Zero Fees is available as a result of present Government policies. Although not foreseen, SIT is unable to guarantee ongoing Zero Fees provision should for any reason present funding arrangements and/or Government policies be reviewed.
In order to retain Zero Fees, students undertaking a programme of study at Southern Institute of Technology must meet the following criteria:
- Satisfactory academic progress as defined in the requirements of the course or programme of study.
- Satisfactory attendance, maintaining at least 80% (or programme specific) attendance. (Not applicable for SIT Online programmes).
- Adherence to the programmes specific rules and requirements.
- Adherence to the provisions of Southern Institute of Technology Student Code of Conduct.
- Withdrawal from programmes may affect students’ future entitlement to the Zero Fees.
If any of the requirements detailed above are not met, the following will apply:
- In any case of a breach of the terms and conditions, and after due notice, the Zero Fees status may be withdrawn. In this situation, if a student wishes and is eligible to continue in an enrolled programme of study after this has been withdrawn, he/she will than be liable for the programme fees required for the remainder of the academic year.
- All matters relating to student rights and responsibilities will be handled in accordance with Southern Institute of Technology’s Policies and Procedures, as outlined in student handbooks.
SIT’s refund policy for domestic students is available here.
SIT policy on charging GST to Non-residents undertaking SIT Online programmes of study SIT Online offer internet platform based training programmes which may attract students based offshore. In order for us to Zero Rate the Fee, we have to ensure that the student is offshore for the whole duration of the paper or programme. SIT is not able to set up a robust system to monitor such an activity and do not consider this our core business. Therefore GST will be charged on all fees unless the student wishes to be specifically designated as an International Student in which case the Zero Fees Scheme will not apply. Should a student wish to enrol as an International Student through SIT Online the International Fee will be NZ$100 per credit (GST Zero Rated).