Most domestic students who are new to tertiary education are eligible for one year of fees-free study at Otago
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the New Zealand Government will pay up to NZ$12,000 to cover tuition fees and student services fees for one year of full-time study. If you're studying part-time, your fees-free entitlement can be spread out over more than one year.
Check your eligibility
Use the Government's online tool at feesfree.govt.nz
What happens next?
If you're new to tertiary study and your eligibility is confirmed by the online tool, the Government will let us know, and you won't be charged fees for your first year.
If the online tool indicates that your eligibility is unconfirmed, you'll need to complete a statutory declaration before the University can treat you as a fees-free student. This will involve getting papers witnessed, so you may need the assistance of your family or whānau.
Please check your eligibility as soon as possible, and complete your declarations (if required) before the end of January to avoid being charged fees.
Please note, fees-free does not cover residential college accommodation fees or other associated accommodation costs.
Further information
If you need to talk to someone at Otago about fees-free study, please contact AskOtago:
The feesfree.govt.nz website FAQs have more information about fees-free study.