Update for Schools Accessing Tertiary Funding

Schools in receipt of tertiary funding from the TEC are required to have an approved tertiary Charter, unless exempt. Schools are exempt from this requirement if they seek tertiary funding of $10,000 or less in 2008.

Schools with a tertiary Charter expiring this year will need to revise and submit the Charter for approval by the Minister.

The TEC exempted those schools who will receive funding of less than $1 million in 2006 from the requirement to submit a 2008-10 Profile in 2006 for funding in 2007. This exemption wass for one-year only. Schools that were exempt in 2006 will still need to complete funding applications for their programmes and have a signed agreement for funding to continue in 2008. Tertiary funding includes programmes in Training Opportunities, Youth Training, Adult and Community Education (ACE) and Gateway. It does not include Secondary Alignment Resource (STAR).

Tertiary funding documentation (tertiary Charters, funding applications and 2007-09 Profiles) are due by 30 June 2007. Guidelines for completing tertiary documentation can be found on the TEC website. Send completed documentation, ideally electronically, to the nearest TEC area office:

Northland: northland@tec.govt.nz
Waikato: waikato@tec.govt.nz
Bay of Plenty: bayofplenty@tec.govt.nz
Eastern Coast: easterncoast@tec.govt.nz
Auckland offices: auckland@tec.govt.nz
Taranaki Wanganui: taranakiwanganui@tec.govt.nz
Manawatu Wairarapa: manawatuwairarapa@tec.govt.nz
Wellington: wellington@tec.govt.nz
Nelson Marlborough West Coast: nelsonarea@tec.govt.nz
Canterbury: canterbury@tec.govt.nz
Southern: southern@tec.govt.nz

Tertiary Charters

Tertiary charters provide stakeholders, government agencies and the public information on how a school operates and manages itself in the tertiary education system over a medium to long-term timeframe. Therefore, a tertiary charter has a different focus and purpose from the school charter submitted to the Ministry of Education, although some content will be relevant and may be included in a tertiary charter.

Tertiary charters are approved by the Minister of Tertiary Education based on recommendations by the TEC and may be approved for a term of up to ten years.

Schools accessing funding annually of $10,000 or more must have an approved tertiary Charter.

Expiring Tertiary Charters

To ensure continued eligibility for funding, tertiary Charters that are due to expire this year must be revised and submitted to the TEC for renewal by 30 June 2007. Prior to submitting your tertiary charter for renewal, areas for development identified in the previous charter assessment must be addressed, if applicable.

For further information on preparing tertiary Charters refer to the Charters guidelines page on the TEC website: charters - guidelines.

Tertiary Profiles

A Profile is the basis upon which funding is sought, agreed and allocated. It provides information on existing and planned programmes and activities over a three-year period and is used as a basis for allocating public funding for the calendar year. The Profile is approved by the TEC Board of Commissioners (or delegation).

The content and criteria for 2008-10 Profile requirements are released and available on the website Profile: Resources - TEC. Guidelines for preparing a 2008-10 Profile will be available on the website early April 2007.

Funding Applications

Exempt schools need to complete funding applications for their programmes and have a signed agreement for funding to continue in 2008. Tertiary funding includes programmes in Training Opportunities, Youth Training, Adult and Community Education (ACE) and Gateway. It does not include Secondary Alignment Resource (STAR).

The application forms for these programmes are completed by the school and submitted to the TEC. Each application will be assessed and where applicable negotiated with the school. Once approved, the TEC will prepare a funding agreement outlining the terms and conditions which is signed by both parties before funding commences.

Funding applications and associated resources are at the end of the Profile resources page available on the TEC website: Profile: Resources - TEC.

Further Advice

Local TEC advisors will discuss with each school their tertiary funding requirements and provide assistance in renewing tertiary Charters, preparing Profiles and completing funding applications.

Schools that are new to TEC funding should make contact with their local area office to discuss tertiary funding requirements.