Scholarship Guide

Scholarships aren't just for straight-A students. There are scholarships for leadership, community service, sports, specific ethnicities, specific regions, first-in-family students, and more. The biggest barrier is that most students simply don't know they exist or don't bother applying.

Types of Scholarships

Academic scholarships — based on your grades. Most universities automatically consider you based on your results.

Equity scholarships — for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-in-family, Māori, Pasifika, refugee background, or low-income families.

Subject-specific scholarships — for students entering specific programmes like engineering, health sciences, or education.

Community and leadership scholarships — for students who've demonstrated leadership, volunteering, or community involvement.

External scholarships — from organisations outside universities: Rotary, Lions, community trusts, iwi, Pacific community organisations, and corporate foundations.

Where to Find Them

• Your university's scholarship page (search "[university name] scholarships")
• Generosity NZ (generosity.org.nz) — a searchable database of NZ scholarships
• Your school's careers counsellor — they should have a list of local scholarships
• Community organisations relevant to your background

How to Apply

Most scholarship applications ask for your academic results, a personal statement explaining why you deserve the scholarship, evidence of extracurricular activities or community involvement, and references from teachers.

Tips: Apply for every scholarship you might be eligible for. Tailor each application — don't copy-paste the same personal statement. Get someone to proofread your application. Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines. Start in July/August — many close before university applications.

Common Mistakes

• Not applying because you think you won't get it — apply anyway
• Missing deadlines — many scholarships close months before university starts
• Generic personal statements that could apply to anyone
• Not asking for help with your application