The Zero Fees Scheme continues to be available as a result of present Government policies. Although not foreseen, SIT is unable to guarantee ongoing Zero Fees provision should for any reason present funding arrangements and/or Government policies be reviewed. n the late 1990s, Invercargill's population was declining, property prices were extremely low and there were limited opportunities for our young people. SIT’s chief executive officer Penny Simmonds proposed a radical idea for community funders to kick start a free fees scheme by contributing $7.2 million over three years to effectively pay students’ tuition fees. All students would have to pay was their material costs – for things like uniforms or textbooks.