The closure will affect 81 New Zealand-based students and 30 who are based offshore.  The Academy is committed to supporting its remaining students to transition to other providers.

“We acknowledge this is a difficult time for learners and we are working closely with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the Ministry of Social Development – StudyLink, and Immigration New Zealand to minimise the impact on them,” says TEC chief executive Tim Fowler.

“Along with NZQA, we are contacting all students directly to provide them with information on the options they have to continue their studies,” says Mr Fowler. “A number of alternative providers are available for students to transfer to, and our focus is to make the process as smooth as possible,” he adds.

A meeting with affected learners will be held on-site at the Academy at midday on Wednesday 16 December. Representatives from government agencies will be present to talk to students about the support available and answer any questions they may have.

Fees Free implications

Students who are studying under the Fees Free scheme will not be disadvantaged. The TEC is working with L3 and the alternative providers to ensure Fees Free entitlements will not be affected if studies continue 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.

Student Support - StudyLink

You 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 you 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 on 0800 601 301 or customerservice@tec.govt.nz.

Further information for international students

For more information, international students should contact the NZQA at risk@nzqa.govt.nz or 0800 697 296.

For queries about visa issues, please contact Immigration New Zealand at INZstudentcontact@mbie.govt.nz or 0508 55 88 55.

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 L3 Airline Academy, 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 on 0800 88 99 00 and they can help you.

Q. Where else can I study?

The TEC and NZQA have identified other potential training providers where you can complete your study. We have sent you a list of alternative providers in an email.

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

If you find an alternative provider offering a similar qualification to the one you were studying at L3 Airline Academy, you may make your own arrangements to study there instead. If you do wish to approach another training provider 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 L3 – what happens to those now?

L3 Airline Academy 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. For study or training that was impacted by COVID-19, the TEC has some discretion to reinstate Fees Free entitlements that were used.

Q. I’m a Fees Free student – what will happen to me?

If you are 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. Is there a way for me to discuss my concerns with L3 and government agencies?

There will be a meeting onsite at 131 Boyd Road, Hamilton on Wednesday 16 December at midday with affected learners where representatives from the Academy and government agencies will be present. You can discuss any concerns you may have during this meeting.

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

If you have concerns or questions, please contact the Academy directly in the first instance. For more specific concerns, see the guide below:

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