What is student fee protection?
Student fee protection (SFP) makes sure that your fees are safe if a private training establishment (PTE) stops offering a course you're enrolled in.
PTEs in New Zealand must follow the fee protection rules:
Read the Student Fee Protection Rules 2022
What fees are covered?
- tuition fees (including all related costs)
- commissions
- accommodation
- travel and health insurance
- living expenses.
Note: 'Course' means a programme or micro-credential that a learner is enrolled in.
On this page
Withdrawals and course closures
Withdrawing from your course
Find out if you're eligible for a refund if you need to withdraw from your course
Find out more
Course closures or cancellations
Information about how PTEs must support you if your course is cancelled
Find out more
Information your PTE should give you
When you enrol with a PTE, they should give you information about how they protect your fees, and their refund and withdrawal policies.
Key information about their fee protection mechanism
Your PTE must provide you with the following information:
- the amount of fees protected
- the type of fee protection mechanism they have in place and details of the trustee (if applicable)
- a schedule of payments from the trustee to the PTE (if applicable)
- withdrawal and refund policies
- their refund process if you're entitles
- people or organisations to contact if you have questions about fees or the student fee protection mechanism the PTE uses.
Withdrawal and refund policies
Your PTE needs to tell you about happens in the following situations:
- if you need to withdraw before, during or after the relevant refund period
- if you voluntarily quit the course
- if your course voluntarily closes
- if a course closes
- for international students, what happens if your visa application is declined.