The Government is looking to reward tertiary achievement through its changes to fees free education

From today, first-time tertiary students have access to up to 12-thousand-dollars after completing their final year of study or work-based learning.

Students who complete their studies by the end of the year can claim their entitlement via Inland Revenue from 2026.

Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds says the previous first-year scheme was an incentive to just participate.

She says payments were made regardless of whether students completed their first year -- and this is more about rewarding those that stick at it.