Kirk Sargent: First Foundation CEO on the programme supporting lower socioeconomic students through tertiary study

Another option to go alongside fees free study. 

The Labour Government introduced First Year Fees Free in 2018, providing tertiary students with up to $12,000 in tuition cover for the first year of provider-based study, or the first two years of work-based learning.   

The Coalition Government has changed the scheme from this year, applying it to the final year of study instead.  

The policy had three objectives, to incentivise learners, particularly disadvantaged learners, to finish their studies; to reward learners who complete their programme of study; to reduce the overall cost of study. 

However, officials say, like its predecessor, this policy is likely to fail too.  

First Foundation is a wraparound programme that picks up academically talented but low-income students in year 12, giving them support, mentorship, and financial assistance for university.   

First Foundation CEO Kirk Sargent told Kerre Woodham they’d welcome the chance to grab that $12,000, invest it into young people and get more people coming through the tertiary environment. 

He says New Zealand has a productivity issue, and programmes like this could be a solution that would benefit the economy in the long run.  

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