Fees-free in 2024: Are you eligible?
Note: The Government has confirmed Fees Free for the first year of study will finish at the end of 2024 and will operate under transition rules until 31 December 2025. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace first-year Fees Free starting from 1 January 2025.
View further information around the transition rules and the final-year Fees Free scheme in 2025
Most domestic students who are new to tertiary education in 2024 will be 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 are studying part-time, your fees-free entitlement can be spread out over more than one year.
To find out if you are eligible, use the Government's online tool at feesfree.govt.nz
If you are 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 2024.
If the online tool indicates that your eligibility is unconfirmed, you will 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) to ensure we can charge your 2024 tuition fees to Fees Free
Please note that fees-free does not cover residential college accommodation fees or other associated accommodation costs.
More information and FAQs about eligibility criteria
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