FREE PROGRAMMES

EIT offers a range of programmes that are currently FREE. Please check out the programmes below. There are also many scholarships that you may be eligible for. If you need any further help looking for a scholarship please email scholarships@eit.ac.nz.

Scholarships Info Government Fees-Free Info

Check out our FREE programmes

Enrolments for 2026 are open and early application is recommended.

Please note these programmes could affect your future ‘Fees-Free’ entitlement. For more information about Fees Free click here.

Agriculture

Arts & Design

Beauty Therapy

Creative Practice

English Language

Hairdressing and Barbering

Health and Community Wellness

Horticulture

Hospitality

IDEAschool

Māori Studies

Sport, Exercise and Massage

Trades and Technology

Fees Free

You may be able to get Fees Free for the final year of the first provider-based qualification or work-based programme you complete.  

When you enrol for your study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost you may wish to apply for a  Student Loan through StudyLink.

To get Fees Free on completion of your final year of study or training you must:

  • complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
  • meet the residency criteria at the time you complete your qualification or programme, and
  • meet the prior study and training criteria, and
  • not have already used Fees Free. 

 

Claiming Fees Free

After you complete your first eligible qualification or programme, you will be able to confirm your eligibility and claim your entitlement through myIR.

If you have a Student Loan, your Fees Free entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. This will lower the amount you have borrowed. If you don’t have a loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.

 

Final-year Fees Free policy

  • Fees Free is available for eligible learners who complete their first provider-based qualification or work-based programme.
  • Fees Free covers the final year of study or two years of work-based training, up to $12,000.
  • Fees Free aims to motivate and reward learners for completing their qualification or programme, and reduce the overall cost of their study and learning.
  • Fees Free can only be used once.
  • For more information visit the Fees Free website, click here.

Eligibility for Fees Free

To get Fees Free for your final year of study and training you must:

  • complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
  • meet the residency criteria at the time you complete, and
  • meet the prior study and training criteria, and
  • not have already used Fees Free.

If you would like to check if you meet residency and prior study and training criteria before you complete your qualification or programme visit the Fees Free website, click here.

What learners need to do

At enrolment

When you enrol for your study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a Student Loan.

On completion

  • When you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme, you can confirm your eligibility and claim your Fees Free entitlement.
  • You have one year to claim your entitlement through myIR.
  • If you have a Student Loan, your entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. If you don’t have a Student Loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.

IRD numbers

  • EIT may request your IRD number. This will make it easier for you to claim your Fees Free entitlement after you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme.
  • You do not need to provide your IRD number if you have already used your Fees Free entitlement or you know your qualification/programme is not eligible for Fees Free.

Shorter qualifications

  • Keep in mind some shorter qualifications (like certificates) you complete before a degree or diploma may use your Fees Free entitlement. For more information talk to your tertiary education organisation.

Scholarships

EIT offers a variety of scholarships across various subjects and programme levels. Some scholarships are based on your age, some are specific to the subject you want to study. Not all scholarships are based on your academic ability and anyone wanting to study should investigate what scholarships are available to them.  

You can find a list of EIT and local scholarship opportunities here. In addition to these, many scholarships are offered nationally and can be found through the online database givME. Access to givME is available at some public libraries and at EIT. If you’d like to access the givME database through EIT, please contact scholarships@eit.ac.nz.

Find out more

School Leaver Scholarships

Are you a school leaver thinking about degree study?

Are you currently a school leaver and thinking about further degree level study in 2027? EIT is offering 10x brand new $5000 School Leaver Scholarships that could make life a bit easier for you. Applications for 2027 Scholarships open 1 July 2026.

Find out more

EIT Youth Scholarship

To be eligible for this Scholarship students must meet the Youth Guarantee Criteria:

  • Be 16–24 years old on the start date of their programme.  Fifteen years old can be eligible with an early leaving exemption from Ministry of Education.  
  • Be enrolled in a Youth Guarantee eligible full-time programme of study at Level 1-3 

Contact:
EIT Hawke’s Bay
Email: YGuarantee@eit.ac.nz

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training is an initiative supporting Māori and Pasifika people into trades training programmes, with a distinct focus on ensuring there is a clear pathway beyond their time attached to Te Ara o Tākitimu.

Applicants must

  • Identify as either Māori or Pasifika
  • Be aged between 16–40 years

Contact:
Te Ara o Tākitimu 
Email:  taot@eit.ac.nz

Semester 2 starts July – programmes filling fast!

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