Zero Fees Scheme
Available across SIT, our Zero Fees Scheme allows New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and Australian citizens residing in NZ the opportunity to study approved courses without paying tuition fees. The Zero Fees Scheme, where available, applies to the base tuition fee attached to each course of study. Direct Material Costs apply. Direct material costs are costs that relate directly to students, for example, to cover your uniform, texts, tools, activities and NZQA charges.
Who is Eligible?
The Zero Fees Scheme is open to:
- New Zealand citizens
- New Zealand residents/permanent residents living in New Zealand during their study
- Australian citizens residing in New Zealand during their study
Pay only for direct material costs. SIT covers your tuition, allowing you to graduate without hefty student loans.
Choose from certificate, diploma, degree, and postgraduate programmes in various fields like: business, IT, nursing, trades, creative industries and many more!
Study on-campus, online, or a combination of both, tailored to your lifestyle.
Learn from expert tutors with real-world industry experience. SIT's strong connections with employers ensure your education prepares you for the job market.
About The Zero Fees Scheme
SIT offers ZERO Tuition Fees for New Zealand domestic students for all years and levels of study. We are the only institute in New Zealand that offers this initiative for its students.
It is a unique system made possible by wide community support. In 2002, Southland community and business funders contributed $7.25 million over the first three years on top of our government funding, and the scheme was so successful that it has been able to continue ever since.
Direct Material Costs
There will still be some direct material costs that you will have to pay for at the time of enrolment, or you will need to arrange a student loan to cover these costs. The material costs for each course can be found on their course pages.
Eligible Programmes
Most programmes SIT offers based in Southland, Queenstown, and those by Distance Learning at all levels are eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
Programmes must be:
- Tertiary Education Commission funded
- 12 or more weeks in duration
- Studied either full time or part time
- Leading to a national or local qualification.
Terms & Conditions
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.
Retention of Zero Fees Scheme
Tertiary Education Commission funded (you must be a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to receive Tertiary Education Commission funding).
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.
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