Student Achievement Component levels 1 and 2

Student Achievement Component levels 1 and 2

Last updated 4 July 2018
Last updated 4 July 2018

The Student Achievement Component (SAC) is the Government’s contribution towards the cost of teaching and learning services for students enrolled at a tertiary education organisation (TEO).

Students must be studying towards a qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

The SAC comprises two funds: the SAC – Provision at Level 3 and above on the NZQF Fund (SAC level 3 and above), and the SAC – Qualifications at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQF Fund (SAC levels 1 and 2).

Funding for foundation education, including SAC levels 1 and 2 funding:

  • provides a low cost way for people who do not have essential foundation skills to achieve these skills
  • supports students to progress to higher levels of study and gain skilled employment
  • builds the literacy and numeracy skills of eligible students
  • enables beginner students to learn English or Te Reo Māori, and
  • supports TEOs that can best meet the needs of foundation education students.

Information about SAC level 3 and above funding is available on the SAC level 3 and above webpages.

In addition see:

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) funding for information about the Government’s provision for fees-free SAC-funded tertiary education places for Māori and Pasifika students (to acquire the skills needed to enter into a New Zealand Apprenticeship or equivalent).

Key changes for 2019 funding (summarised)

Change to recovery methodology for SAC levels 1 and 2

In June 2018 we communicated with the sector that from 2019 we won’t fund provision above the prior achievement limits. This means that if more than 10% of your SAC levels 1 and 2 enrolments are above the prior achievement limits we will recover funding. (Refer to condition 4.10).

Recovery of funding for 2019 ineligible learners will start in early 2020. We are developing the recovery methodology for this now, and will be engaging with providers in August to gather feedback. Once feedback has been considered we will publish the recovery methodology in October.

2020 funding

From 2019, all SAC levels 1 and 2 funding is allocated through the investment plan process.

Funding rates for 2020 SAC levels 1 and 2 provision have been decided. Refer to the:

Key changes for 2018 (summarised)

Learning hours

We have clarified our requirements for entering learning hours information into the Services for Tertiary Education Organisations (STEO) learning hours fields. See Learning hours, under Duration, under Information about qualifications, on the Qualifications and courses page.

Recognition of learning / prior achievement

We have better aligned our information with NZQA’s guidelines. See Recognition of learning / prior achievement on the Enrolment, and Funding and payments pages.

Resources

Key resources:

Other resources include: