Equity funding
Equity funding
One of the objectives of the Education and Training Act 2020 is to encourage a tertiary education system that promotes equal access and success for all learners.
One of the objectives of the Education and Training Act 2020 is to encourage a tertiary education system that promotes equal access and success for all learners.
Making education easier to access and improving the achievement of all learners is a core part of the tertiary sector’s contribution to the educational priorities outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy. TEOs contribute to this by accommodating the diverse needs and aspirations of learners of all ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Equity funding is a ‘top-up’ to Student Achievement Component (SAC) and Industry Training (ITF) funding. It helps to cover the costs of providing extra support to some learners, and is not intended to be the sole or primary source of funding. Equity funding should supplement delivery of these funds, and contribute to ensuring the success of all learners.
TEOs should outline their support for these learner groups as part of their normal Investment Plan/funding allocation process documentation. For some TEOs this includes Learner Success Plans.
If TEOs are not submitting these documents they can expect their Relationship Manager/Advisor (RMI/RA) to contact them to discuss their plans for using this increase in Equity funding.
Where funding has been allocated to transitional ITOs, it will move to providers as transition plans are finalised and followed through.
We calculate and distribute Equity funding based on key indicators and evidence for cohorts that have been underserved by the tertiary system. For 2022 all eligible TEOs, including those with eligible VET provision, will receive Equity funding if any of their learners fall under these three elements:
- Māori & Pacific learners
- Disabled learners
- Learners under 25 with low prior attainment (LPA)
Changes to the Equity funding components are summarised below:
|
Component |
2021 Purpose |
2022 Purpose |
Key Changes 2021-22 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maori and Pacific component |
Equity funding for Māori and Pacific learners is to improve participation in, and achievement at higher levels of the tertiary education system (Level 5 and above of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)).
|
Equity funding for Māori and Pacific learners is designed to improve participation in, and achievement of, qualifications on the NZQF.
|
Funding has expanded to include all provision at SAC Levels 3-7 non-degree, and all Industry Training Funding (VET provision). VET Equity funding rates are equal to degree-level Equity funding rates. New TEOs will now be eligible for Equity Fund Funding. |
|
Disabilities component |
Equity funding for disabled learners is to improve participation in tertiary education and achievement of qualifications.
|
Equity funding for disabled learners is to improve participation in tertiary education and achievement of all qualifications.
|
Funding has expanded to include Industry Training Funding, and to all TEOs delivering provision at SAC Levels 3-7 (non-degree). The allocation methodology for non-VET provision is now based on TEO historic delivery data. Increased funding rate. |
|
Learners with Low Prior Achievement (LPA) component |
Not available |
Equity funding for young learners with low prior attainment is to improve achievement of qualifications between Level 3 and Level 7 (excluding degree study) on the NZQF and all industry training. A ‘young learner with low prior attainment’ is defined as a learner under the age of 25 as at the date of enrolment who has not previously achieved a qualification on the NZQF at level 3 or above. |
This is a new component of Equity funding for 2022. It applies to all eligible TEOs who have LPA learners undertaking study between Level 3 - Level 7 (non-degree) on the NZQF and all industry training.
|
Resources
We expect all providers to offer the support required for learner success. Information can be found in:
- Analysing student data for learner success
- Learner Success Infosheet (DOCX, 522 KB)
- Ka Hikitia– the Ministry of Education’s Māori education strategy.
- Kia Ōrite Toolkit – Achieving Equity – the New Zealand Code of Practice for an inclusive tertiary education environment for students with impairments.
- Learners at the Centre– The Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) and the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES).
- Barrier Free Access– The Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP) and the Tertiary Education Strategy (TES).
- Project Kāmehameha– research commissioned by Careers New Zealand about the design and delivery of career resources for Māori.
- Project Lumana'i– research commissioned by Careers New Zealand about the design and delivery of career resources for Pasifika.
- Youth Services– supports young people to engage in education, training and work-based learning
- StudyLink– financial support and advice for students.
- Ako Aotearoa's Resource Centre also provides practical information for improving student success.