The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has been informed that the Auckland Hotel and Chefs Training School (AHCTS) has decided to close on 26 June 2020 due to the impacts of COVID-19 on its viability. AHCTS remains committed to supporting its students to transition to other providers.

We are working closely with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the Ministry of Social Development - StudyLink and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to minimise the impact of this closure to current students.

We are contacting all students directly to provide you with information on the options you have to continue your studies. A number of alternative providers are available for you to take on. Our focus is to make this process as smooth as possible for you.

Fees Free implications

Students who are studying under the Fees-free scheme will not be disadvantaged. The TEC is working with AHCTS and the alternative providers to ensure your Fees-free entitlement will not be affected if you continue your studies with another provider.

Although we expect all learners to be able to transfer to a suitable alternative provider, please contact us directly if you are concerned about the suitability of alternative study options. The TEC has some discretion to ensure Fees Free entitlements are not used for study or training that was impacted by COVID-19.

Student Support - StudyLink

Students will continue to receive any weekly support you are entitled to up until the date of closure and you can continue to receive these if you transfer to an alternative provider to complete your studies.

Once students have decided on a new provider, you should contact StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00 (Monday to Friday, 8am to pm) to arrange to have your study information updated. StudyLink will confirm these details with your new provider.

Further information for domestic students

For more information, domestic students should contact TEC at 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Further information for international students

For more information for international students including visa issues, please contact the NZQA at risk@nzqa.govt.nz or 0800 697 296.

FAQs for students

Q. I’m receiving student allowance payments – what happens to those now?

If you are currently receiving a Student Allowance or Student Loan Living Cost payments for your study with AHCTS, your payments will continue until its closure and you can continue to receive these if you transfer to an alternative provider to complete your studies. It’s important that you make a decision on what you want to do as soon as you can, and contact StudyLink to let them know what you have decided. Financial assistance may be available even if you can’t transfer and continue studying straight away. If you have any concerns you should contact StudyLink and they can help you.

 Q. Where else can I study?

The TEC and NZQA have identified other potential study options for you which are listed in this email.

 Q. Do I have to go to one of these other places?

If you find an alternative provider offering a similar qualification to the one you were studying at AHCTS, you may make your own arrangements to study there instead. If you do wish to approach another place yourself, you should seek advice from StudyLink on how this may affect your fees and financial support. If you are a domestic student, please contact TEC at 0800 601 301 to discuss your options. For international students, please contact NZQA at risk@nzqa.govt.nz or 0800 697 296

 Q. I have paid fees to AHCTS – what happens to those now?

AHCTS is required to refund the fees for any parts of your course that you haven’t yet completed. You won’t receive a refund for the parts of your course that you have already finished.

If you paid fees using a student loan, any refunded fees for the study you have not yet started or completed will be paid back to StudyLink to reduce the amount of your loan. This will be listed on your loan statement. If you paid the fees without a student loan, the fees for the non-taught parts will be refunded to you.

If you were studying under the Fees-free scheme and you continue your studies with one of the providers listed above, the TEC will work with your new provider to ensure your Fees-free entitlement follows you. If you elect not to continue studying, please contact the TEC about your Fees-free entitlement. The TEC has some discretion to ensure Fees Free entitlements are not used for study or training that was impacted by COVID-19.

Q. I’m a fees-free student – what will happen to me?

If you’re eligible for fees-free study, you won’t be disadvantaged. The TEC and NZQA have identified potential study options and, if you complete your studies at another place, the TEC will make sure your fees-free entitlement follows you.

If you elect not to continue studying, please contact the TEC about your Fees-free entitlement. The TEC has some discretion to ensure Fees Free entitlements are not used for study or training that was impacted by COVID-19.

Q. Who can I contact if I have more questions?

If you would like to talk to someone confidentially about how you are feeling, or if you are concerned about someone else, you may like to call:

Lifeline (open 24/7): 0800 543 354

Samaritans (open 24/7): 0800 726 666

Youthline (open 24/7): 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8.00am and midnight, or email  talk@youthline.co.nz

And you can also use the resources and contact details available from the Mental Health Foundation