The Youth Guarantee fund helps young people access foundation learning without paying course fees and covers course-related costs (conditions apply).

Find out the difference the Youth Guarantee fund made for Calum Dundas.

Who is eligible for the Youth Guarantee fund

To qualify for the Youth Guarantee fund, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Not yet have NCEA level 1 or NCEA level 2.
  • Complete an enrolment form for a course that is covered by the Youth Guarantee fund (these courses are listed below).
  • Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be 16 to 24 years old at the time the course starts **.
  • Be available to attend an interview. The interview will happen if your Youth Guarantee funding application is successful.

For further information regarding eligibility for funding please refer to the Tertiary Education Commission website.

How to apply

Applications for Semester 1, 2025 are open. 

Expression of Interest form 

Step one: Enrol in a Unitec course covered by the Youth Guarantee fund

Courses that are covered by the Youth Guarantee fund:

To qualify for the Youth Guarantee funding, you need to study one of the following courses for up to a full year starting in either Semester 1 (February) or Semester 2 (July).

Full-year courses

Half-year (one semester) courses

Find out how to apply online for a course.

Step two: Complete the  Youth Guarantee funding Expression of Interest (EOI) form 

Once you have applied for a course covered by the Youth Guarantee fund, complete this form:

Step three: Assessment and interview

Once we have received your EOI for Youth Guarantee funding we will assess it and if you meet all the criteria, you will be invited to have an interview with the Youth Guarantee team to talk about funding. 

Other funds available

On top of Youth Guarantee funding

If your Youth Guarantee application is successful, your course fees are covered and you will also receive a travel allowance.
This means you will not be eligible for student loans for your fees. Additional funds might be available for other costs though.
  • If you are 18 or over you can apply for course-related costs and living costs with StudyLink (student loan). Find out about StudyLink.
  • You can apply for a student allowance if you meet the eligibility requirements as set out by Studylink. Find out about StudyLink.

Instead of Youth Guarantee funding

Youth Guarantee funding is limited so not all applications may be successful. If you did not get Youth Guarantee funding you can apply for StudyLink if you still want to do the course. Find out about StudyLink.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Youth Guarantee funding email youthguarantee@unitec.ac.nz.

To find out about what financial assistance options are available for you contact Unitec Student Support Advisors.

 

*Free Study for Level 3 courses may be available for 16 to 24 year olds (Youth Guarantee). All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status is required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact Studylink for more information.

**15-year-olds who hold Ministry-approved early exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.