The Zero Fee Scheme allows New Zealand citizens, Australian citizens while residing in New Zealand, or permanent residents the opportunity to study approved programmes without paying the tuition fees.
The Zero Fee Scheme, where available, applies only to the base tuition fee attached to each programme of study. Direct Material Costs apply. These costs relate directly to the students, for example: uniform, texts, tools, activities, NZQA charges.
Programmes that are offered under Zero Fee Scheme are:
- Tertiary Education Commission funded (you must be a New Zealand or Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to receive Tertiary Education Commission funding)
- Of 12 or more weeks in duration
- Studied either full time or part time
- Leading to a national or local qualification
The Zero Fee Scheme started in 2001 as a result of Southland Community and Business funders contributing $7.25 million over the period 2001 to 2003. This initiative was undertaken to reverse the decline in Invercargill's population and to attract more students to the city.
The main contributors to the Zero Fee Scheme are:
Community Trust of Southland - $3.45million
Invercargill Licensing Trust - $1.73million
Invercargill City Council - $1.21million
Southland District Council - $0.35million
The Zero Fee Scheme continues to be available as a result of present Government policies. Although not foreseen, SIT is unable to guarantee ongoing Zero Fee provision should for any reason present funding arrangements and/or Government policies be reviewed.
In order to retain the Zero Fee Scheme, 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 SIT2LRN programmes)
- Adherence to the programme's specific rules and requirements
- Adherence to the provisions of Southern Institute of Technology Student Code of Conduct
- Withdrawal from a programme may affect students' future entitlement to the Zero Fee Scheme
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In any case of a breach of the terms and conditions, and after due notice, the Zero Fee status may be withdrawn.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this situation, if a student wishes and is eligible to continue in an enrolled programme of study after this has been withdrawn, he/she will then be liable for the programme fees required for the remainder of the academic year.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 the student handbook.
Refund Policy
The Southern Institute of Technology Refund Policy is available as an Adobe PDF file below.
Refund Policy
International Student Refund Policy
Economic Impact Reports
2002 Actual Economic Impact on Invercargill
of SIT's Zero Fees Policy
2000 Projected Economic Impact on Invercargill
of SIT's Zero Fees Policy
SIT International Fees
The SIT International Fees can be found by following one of the links below.
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