Source: Tertiary Education Commission
Refer to SAC level 3 and above funding conditions including, but not limited to:
We calculate a TEO’s consumed funding using:
the number of valid domestic student enrolments, measured by equivalent full-time students (EFTS), and
the qualifications, and their component courses, in which a valid domestic student is enrolled.
To calculate a TEO’s consumed SAC level 3 and above funding, we use the following elements:
the metric (EFTS value)
course classification
funding category
funding rates
student enrolments.
Example:
Step
Funding calculation
Example
1
Assign the qualification an EFTS value
A TEO’s Certificate in Communication Studies obtained through one full-time academic year’s study has a value of 1.0 EFTS.
2
Disaggregate the qualification into courses
Calculate the EFTS factor of each course
Classify the courses
It comprises four courses.
The EFTS value of the qualification is disaggregated among the four courses. For this example, each course has an EFTS factor of 0.25 EFTS.
The course classification prescription in the funding mechanism classifies this subject as # 03 (e.g. arts, humanities, language).
3
Apply the funding category
The funding category alphabetic code in the funding mechanism gives the category of the course as A (arts and social sciences).
The funding category numeric code in the funding mechanism gives the category of the course as 1 (non-degree course with no research requirement).
3
Apply funding rates
The funding rates table in the funding mechanism states that the rate for A1 courses is $6,135 (excl. GST) per EFTS.
4
Multiply the funding rate by the number of valid enrolments
For 100 students on each of the four courses, each course attracts SAC level 3 and above funding of $153,375 (excl. GST) (0.25 x $6,135 x 100).
Recognition of learning / prior achievement
Recognition of learning / prior achievement relates to previous study or experience (prior achievement) relevant to a programme that a student is currently undertaking. It enables a student to proceed with his or her study without repeating aspects of the qualification previously studied, or re-learning skills the student has already achieved through past work or other experience.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL), and credit recognition and transfer (CRT), are forms of recognising learning / prior achievement. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) provides information and guidelines on recognition of learning / prior achievement for tertiary education organisations (TEOs).
RPL and CRT for SAC level 3 and above students
Students may have already some knowledge of, or achieved, some courses or course content prior to enrolment in a SAC level 3 and above funded qualification. The TEO must not claim funding where this is the case.
The TEO must recognise this prior learning and adjust the courses in the learner’s programme. The TEO must not claim SAC level 3 and above funding for recognising this prior learning, or for delivering tuition where the student already has this prior learning (i.e. skills and/or knowledge).
See Condition: Recognised prior learning.
We also expect the TEO to similarly adjust the student’s fees in light of the student’s prior learning. That is, the TEO should see RPL and CRT as a function of the TEO’s compliance with Condition: Recognised prior learning. See Fees on the Enrolment page.
The TEO is expected to be proactive about engaging with learners at the point of enrolment to determine whether they are likely to have existing knowledge, skills, and attributes that can contribute to the graduate outcomes of the qualification.
If the student has achieved course content previously, the TEO must work out the EFTS factor of prior learning of the student (relative to the standard course). The TEO must then subtract this from the standard course EFTS factor. The revised EFTS factor is the value that the TEO should then submit in the enrolment file of the SDR, in the FACTOR field, for that student.
Re-enrolling a SAC level 3 and above student
Where a SAC level 3 and above student requires further study to complete their qualification, their study can only be to complete courses that they have not yet passed. This can include content not yet studied or content studied and assessed, but requiring a re-sit. See Condition: Exceeding the total annual EFTS value of the qualification.
For example:
A TEO enrols a student in all courses linked to a 60 credit (0.5 EFTS) qualification. The sum of the course EFTS factors is 0.5 EFTS.
The student passes/achieves 30 credits from the 60 credit course enrolments. The TEO is funded 0.5 EFTS, for the 60 credits of courses the student was enrolled in.
The TEO re-enrols the student in a second period of study for the remaining 30 credits not yet achieved. The TEO is funded 0.25 EFTS for the 30 credits of courses the student was re-enrolled in.
The student successfully completes the courses and is awarded the qualification.
The student will have received 0.75 EFTS worth of provision (90 credits), and the TEO will be funded for 0.75 EFTS delivery (0.5 + 0.25 EFTS) (assuming funding conditions are met for each course enrolment). Note: the TEO will report 0.25 EFTS (30 credits) unsuccessful course completions, and 0.5 EFTS (60 credits) successful course completions.
Calculating EFTS remaining vs consumed
To determine the exact value of the EFTS remaining for a returning student, the following formula should be used:
Qual EFTS value – (credits completed/total qual credits x qual EFTS value) = remaining EFTS
For example:0.5 – (30/60 x 0.5)
= 0.5 – 0.25
= 0.25 remaining EFTS
Claiming funding once for the EFTS factor of a course
See Condition: Funding for EFTS factor of a course.
