Scholarships

We offer a variety of scholarships to assist our students across many different study areas. Our range of scholarships gives you the opportunity to undertake the learning journey you want – no matter what your situation.

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If you’re thinking of studying with us, we have a variety of scholarships to assist you. Some of these are for any programme of study while others relate to specific qualifications or entry requirements. Students can only use one scholarship discount at a time.

There are also Government funding initiatives that mean that some of your costs may already be covered, for example the Fees Free scheme.

For students who don’t need to use their scholarship for fees, we have alternative options available, including:

1. A financial contribution equal to one quarter of accommodation costs at Te Pā Tauira – Otago Polytechnic Student Village or Central Otago student accommodation*

OR 

2. Use it for course-related costs up to a maximum of $2000.00 including GST paid by reimbursement on production of quotes or receipts* 

OR

3. Deferral to following year of study**


*Please note this is only applicable to full fees scholarships, the value differs if the scholarship is under 100%

**Please note this is only applicable if your scholarship is not full fees.

For current students

For current students

Scholarships

If you’re already studying with us, we’re keen to help you move into further study or give you opportunities for professional and/or personal development.

Prime Minister's Scholarships

Learning experiences in Asia and Latin America

The Prime Minister's Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao to support New Zealanders on learning experiences in Asia and Latin America.

Join the Zoom information session on 17th or 23rd August to learn more. Click here for more information. 

Find out more about Prime Minister's Scholarships.

Areas of study

Animal Care and Vet Nursing

SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer's Grant Program

This is a $5,000 grant that’s offered annually to one lucky student enrolled full-time in an accredited New Zealand Tertiary Education Institution, studying for a certificate, diploma, degree, or traineeship in any of the following areas:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Science
  • Veterinary & Life Sciences
  • Animal Care
  • Veterinary Nursing
  • Animal Studies, Nutrition or Sciences

Apply here

Delivery & Pathway Specific

Private Training Provider (PTP) Pathway Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective students transitioning from a Private Training Establishment (PTE) enrolled in any study programme.

The PTP Pathway Scholarship is designed to transition students from a Private Training Establishment (PTE) to the Polytechnic and alleviate the financial burden for second-chance learners who have been under-served by the schooling system.

The PTE Scholarships value equates to two, one-year tuition fees, or pro-rata for single semester programmes.Applications close for Semester One in January and Semester Two in June of each year.

Please speak with the administrator at your PTE about this.

Māori Students

Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective female Māori students enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery.

Otago Polytechnic and Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Wai Pounamu (Nga Maia) recognise the need to increase the numbers of Māori midwives. To reach this goal the Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Midwifery Scholarship has been established by Otago Polytechnic in partnership with Nga Maia.

The Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Midwifery Scholarship offers fees subsidies to one Māori midwifery student accepted for the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at Otago Polytechnic each year. Nga Maia facilitates provision of whanau support for the Scholarship recipients during their studies.

How the scholarship works

The level of fee subsidy offered through this Scholarship is:

  • Year One – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 50%
  • Year Two – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 75%
  • Year Three – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 100%

The usual academic requirements for progression through the programme must be met.

To apply

We welcome applications for the Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Scholarship. Please include your scholarship application with your Bachelor of Midwifery application, or if you have already applied for our next intake, please upload your application as an additional document.

Please write a letter of application for the Scholarship detailing your reasons for applying, your whakapapa and any other information you consider relevant.

By applying, you are consenting to your academic transcript being shared with the Nga Maia Board.

Please include the name and phone number of two referees with your application (these do not need to be the same referees who provided information for your Bachelor of Midwifery application).

Applications are due by the last Friday in August each year. However, late applications may be considered. 

Selection process for Scholarship

Applicant letters will be considered by both School of Midwifery staff and the Nga Maia Board. Applicants will be notified of the School’s and Board’s decision in writing in their first year in the programme.

About Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu

Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Wai Pounamu (Nga Maia) is the national organization of midwives and whanau promoting and supporting Māori birthing. In 2006 Nga Maia developed Turanga Kaupapa to give clear guidelines on Tangata Whenua values and provide cultural guidelines for midwifery practice to ensure that cultural requirements are met for Māori women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Turanga Kaupapa have been adopted by both the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) as one mechanism to give life and meaning to midwifery’s recognition of Māori as Tangata Whenua and to midwifery’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Irihapeti Ramsden

Dr Irihapeti Ramsden, of Kai Tahu and Rangitane ancestry, is credited with leading the nursing and midwifery professions in their journeys towards Cultural Safety.

Irihapeti’s work in Cultural Safety helped shape Midwifery Partnership as the embodiment of midwifery practice in New Zealand. We are honoured to acknowledge her contribution to midwifery, both here and internationally, through the creation of this Scholarship. We thank Irihapeti’s whanau for giving permission for us to name this Scholarship after Irihapeti

Mana Pounamu Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective Māori students who are recipients of Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award.

The purpose of this Scholarship is to celebrate those Māori who have been nominated as recipients of Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award.

It is offered to all senior/final year recipients of the Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award.

Please email tepunakaowheo@op.ac.nz for more information or to have an application form sent to you.

Māori Education Trust Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective Māori students enrolled in any study programme.

The Māori Education Trust Scholarship Programme is now open and offers scholarships to secondary and tertiary students who meet the respective scholarships' criteria.

There are undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships available. Find out more information about the available scholarships.

Mātāwaka Scholarship

The purpose of the Mātāwaka Scholarship is to encourage Māori of all ages and backgrounds to study at Otago Polytechnic, and encourage them to succeed in tertiary education by removing financial barriers to study. The scholarships also acknowledge the contribution learners can make to their local community.

The Scholarship will cover tuition fees for one stage of a learner’s chosen programme of study at Otago Polytechnic. For those eligible for FeesFree (in lieu of tuition fees), $4,000 will be paid towards accommodation costs (if staying at one of Otago Polytechnic’s on-campus accommodation options) or $2,000 towards course related costs. All successful recipients will be paired with a Tuakana (Māori Mentor) to guide them through their first year of studies.

Download the 2024 Mātawaka Scholarship Application form

Rūnaka Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective Māori students from our four local Rūnaka enrolled in any study programme.

The purpose of this scholarship is to acknowledge the contribution students make to their Rūnaka and the local community. It is offered to four students (one from each of the four local Rūnaka), for study in a chosen programme at Otago Polytechnic. Full fees are paid for the duration of the study.

To be eligible:

  • You must already be registered with one of the four local Rūnaka:
  • You must meet the academic entry criteria for your chosen programme of study.
  • You must be a domestic student.
  • You must pass your academic studies each year with a minimum of 50%.
  • Your study must be continuous.
  • You must be enrolled in a full-time, full-year course.

Download the 2024 application form

Midwifery

North Island Midwifery Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective students enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery via our North Island satellites.

This scholarship is open to learners beginning the Otago Polytechnic Bachelor of Midwifery in 2022 at one of our North Island satellites in Whanganui, Palmerston North or Greater Wellington.

It is for a $2,000 reduction in your course fees for one full-time, full-year programme: year one of the Bachelor of Midwifery.

The following conditions apply:

  • The scholarship is only available to domestic learners.
  • You can only receive one Otago Polytechnic scholarship
  • If you're eligible for FeesFree, you can defer the scholarship to your second year of study.

We will contact all eligible learners who are accepted into the Bachelor of Midwifery programme. 

Pasifika Students

Tulī Takes Flight Scholarships

The Tulī scholarship acknowledges the ongoing importance of education for Aotearoa Pacific families and communities. The scholarship is intended to support Pacific people to reach their potential by reducing some of the financial barriers towards study or training. There are scholarships for both vocational and degree level study and training in Aotearoa.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible to apply for a Tulī Takes Flight scholarship you must:

  1. be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
  2. have lived in New Zealand for the last three years at the time of the closing date of the application.
  3. be of indigenous Pacific heritage from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Sāmoa, Tokelau, Tonga, or Tuvalu. (This includes Rabi and Rotuma.)
  4. have completed NCEA 3 (or equivalent) and be 16 years or over by the time the course start or (if you have already left secondary school) be 18 years or over.
  5. have enrolled or are in the process of enrolling into full time training or study with a tertiary provider.

Find out more from the Ministry of Education website

Secondary School Students

Principal's Leadership Scholarship

Who's eligible? Otago and Southland secondary school students enrolled in any study programme.

This scholarship is to be awarded to a student who has shown leadership inside or outside the school community. One Scholarship will be offered at the discretion of the Principal of each school in the Otago and Southland regions for payment of a reduction in tuition fees for a chosen programme at Otago Polytechnic.

The following conditions apply:
  • Candidates must meet the academic entry criteria for their chosen programme of study.
  • Where places on a course or programme are limited, normal selection criteria will apply.
  • Multi-year scholarships are available for a maximum of three years. Study must be continuous within the same programme. 
  • A three-year, multi-year scholarship which includes a bridging programme and the first two years of a health degree. The student would be responsible for the full fees of the third year of the degree.
  • All multi-year scholarships will only be redeemable in the second and third years if the student has been successful in the prior year. Successful means maintaining full-time study and passing in at least 50% of the course.
  • This scholarship entitles the recipient to a $1,500 per year reduction in course fees for a full-time, full-year programme, or $750 for a full-time, one semester programme. If the programme differs from the standard FTE or is part-time, then the amount will be worked out on a pro-rata basis.
  • Students can only receive one Otago Polytechnic scholarship in any one year. 
  • This Scholarship applies to Domestic students only.
Process for application:
  • The Principals of schools in Otago and Southland will select the students who will be offered these Scholarships.
  • Students are encouraged to advise their Principal and/or Careers Advisor of their intention to study at Otago Polytechnic to ensure that their name is put forward as a potential candidate for consideration for this Scholarship.
  • The names of the nominated candidate will be provided to the Otago Polytechnic Scholarships team by the school’s Principal by emailing to scholarships@op.ac.nz 
  • Nominated candidate returns Student Acceptance form signed by both candidate and Principal.
  • Please contact the Otago Polytechnic regarding any available representatives that are able to attend the prize giving ceremony. 

Information and application forms is sent to School Principals by the end of Term 2, nominations close at the end of Term 3.

Zonta Trades Scholarship

Who is eligible? Year 13 female students (or those who finished Year 13 less than 12 months ago) enrolled in any trades programme.

This new scholarship, offered by the Zonta Club of Metropolitan Dunedin, is to encourage young women to enter a recognised trade such as building, plumbing, electrical or mechanics. 

Zonta International is a leading global organisation of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. There are approximately 31,000 members in more than 1,100 clubs in 66 countries. 

This Zonta scholarship will be awarded to one female student who is in year 13 (or who completed year 13 less than 12 months ago) who is planning to pursue a career in one of the recognised trades and is enrolled in an Otago Polytechnic trades programme. 

  • Otago Polytechnic trades areas: Automotive; Bike Mechanics; Carpentry; Electrical; Mechanical; Stonemasonry
  • Scholarship amount: $1,000 
  • Scholarship used for: Course related costs i.e. tools or materials. 
  • Application deadline: TBC 2022

Applicants must reside in Otago and be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident of New Zealand. You must align with Zonta's mission and vision, have an active commitment to volunteerism and have knowledge of the programmes of Zonta. You should also be an active supporter of advancing the status of women. 

As well as the application form, you'll need to provide two references in support of your application (one academic and one from a voluntary or community organisation you have been part of). You'll also need to provide evidence of your enrolment at Otago Polytechnic. 

Any questions? Please email metropolitandunedin@zonta.org.nz

How do I apply? Please fill out this application form and send it to metropolitandunedin@zonta.org.nz 

Sports Clubs

Football South Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective students from Football South enrolled in any programme.

Six scholarships will be offered for talented Football South players. These will be for a programme of study at Otago Polytechnic and will cover up to three years of full fees.

  • All multi-year scholarships will only be redeemable in the second and third years if the student has been successful in the prior year. Successful means maintaining full-time study and passing at least 70% of the programme of study
  • This scholarship entitles the recipient of full payment of course fees for a full-time full-year programme. If the programme differs from the standard FTE or is part-time, then the amount will be worked out on a pro-rata basis
  • This scholarship applies to domestic students only
  • Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by Football South

Applications for these scholarships will open in mid-year. Please contact Football South for information and application forms

Otago Cricket Association Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective students from Otago Cricket enrolled in any study programme.

Five scholarships will be offered for Otago Cricket players.  These will be for a programme of study at Otago Polytechnic and will cover up to three years of full fees.

  • Student must provide evidence of successful completion of 70% or more of enrolled courses to attain the scholarship for the following year. Failure to do so may result in the cancelation of your existing scholarship.
  • Continuous study may include a bridging programme. For example, the Certificate in Health (Level 4) and the first two years of a health degree.  The student would be responsible for the full fees of the third year of the degree.
  • This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.
  • Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by Otago Cricket.

 Applications for these scholarships will open in mid-year.  Please contact Otago Cricket for information and application forms

 

Otago Hockey Associations Scholarships

Who is eligible? Prospective students from Otago Hockey who are enrolled in any study programme.

Otago Polytechnic and Otago Hockey Association have established this scholarship to support students with both sporting and academic aspirations. Two scholarships will be offered at the discretion of the Otago Hockey for full payment of fees for a chosen programme of study at Otago Polytechnic.

  • Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by the Otago Hockey Association.
  • Student must provide evidence of successful completion of 70% or more of enrolled courses to attain the scholarship for the following year, and continued engagement in the commitments of the sport. Failure to do so may result in the cancelation of your existing scholarship.
  • Continuous study may include a bridging programme. For example, the Certificate in Health (Level 4) and the first two years of a health degree.  The student would be responsible for the full fees of the third year of the degree.
  • This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.

Applications for these scholarships will open in mid-year.  Please contact Otago Hockey Association for information and application forms

Otago Rugby Football Scholarships

Who is eligible? Prospective students from Otago Ruby Football Union enrolled in any programme.

Otago Polytechnic and Otago Rugby Football Union have established this scholarship to support students with both sporting and academic aspirations. Five scholarships will be offered at the discretion of the Otago Rugby Football Union for full payment of fees for a chosen programme at Otago Polytechnic.

  • Candidates for the scholarship must be nominated by the Otago Rugby Football Union.
  • Student must provide evidence of successful completion of 70% or more of enrolled courses to attain the scholarship for the following year. Failure to do so may result in the cancelation of your existing scholarship.
  • Continuous study may include a bridging programme. For example, the Certificate in Health (Level 4) and the first two years of a health degree.  The student would be responsible for the full fees of the third year of the degree.
  • This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.

Applications for these scholarships will open in mid-year.  Please contact the Otago Rugby Football Union for information and application forms

Women (she/her/they/them)

Betty Loughhead Soroptimist Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective female students over 25 years old enrolled in any study programme.

The Trustees have sole discretion to grant awards and will determine in their discretion the award amount and number of successful applicants, and the terms and conditions applying to each award. Recent awards have been in the region of $3,000 - $5,000 (per award). 

For information and how to apply, visit blast.co.nz.

Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Scholarship

Who is eligible? Prospective female Māori students enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery.

Otago Polytechnic and Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Wai Pounamu (Nga Maia) recognise the need to increase the numbers of Māori midwives. To reach this goal the Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Midwifery Scholarship has been established by Otago Polytechnic in partnership with Nga Maia.

The Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Midwifery Scholarship offers fees subsidies to one Māori midwifery student accepted for the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at Otago Polytechnic each year. Nga Maia facilitates provision of whanau support for the Scholarship recipients during their studies.

How the scholarship works

The level of fee subsidy offered through this Scholarship is:

  • Year One – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 50%
  • Year Two – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 75%
  • Year Three – Otago Polytechnic will reduce the student fee component by 100%

The usual academic requirements for progression through the programme must be met.

To apply

We welcome applications for the Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Scholarship. Please include your scholarship application with your Bachelor of Midwifery application, or if you have already applied for our next intake, please upload your application as an additional document.

Please write a letter of application for the Scholarship detailing your reasons for applying, your whakapapa and any other information you consider relevant.

By applying, you are consenting to your academic transcript being shared with the Nga Maia Board.

Please include the name and phone number of two referees with your application (these do not need to be the same referees who provided information for your Bachelor of Midwifery application).

Applications are due by the last Friday in August each year. However, late applications may be considered. 

Selection process for Scholarship

Applicant letters will be considered by both School of Midwifery staff and the Nga Maia Board. Applicants will be notified of the School’s and Board’s decision in writing in their first year in the programme.

About Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu

Nga Maia o Aotearoa me Te Wai Pounamu (Nga Maia) is the national organization of midwives and whanau promoting and supporting Māori birthing. In 2006 Nga Maia developed Turanga Kaupapa to give clear guidelines on Tangata Whenua values and provide cultural guidelines for midwifery practice to ensure that cultural requirements are met for Māori women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Turanga Kaupapa have been adopted by both the Midwifery Council of New Zealand and the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) as one mechanism to give life and meaning to midwifery’s recognition of Māori as Tangata Whenua and to midwifery’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Irihapeti Ramsden

Dr Irihapeti Ramsden, of Kai Tahu and Rangitane ancestry, is credited with leading the nursing and midwifery professions in their journeys towards Cultural Safety.

Irihapeti’s work in Cultural Safety helped shape Midwifery Partnership as the embodiment of midwifery practice in New Zealand. We are honoured to acknowledge her contribution to midwifery, both here and internationally, through the creation of this Scholarship. We thank Irihapeti’s whanau for giving permission for us to name this Scholarship after Irihapeti

Women in Information Technology (I.T.) Scholarship

Who is eligible: All current students who identify as female, studying the Bachelor of Information Technology.

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognise that women in New Zealand are under-represented in the Information Technology industry in comparison to the majority of the developed world. Women represent less than 16% of the workforce in technical roles.

This scholarship is intended to assist a female student studying at Otago Polytechnic who shows ability and character to succeed in the field of information technology.

This scholarship will contribute $1,000 towards course fees for every year of study in this degree.

For more information contact Justine Molloy.

Download the 2024 application form

What happens next?

Once you've applied for a scholarship, we will be in touch to discuss your options and confirm your scholarship status. If you have any questions or need help applying for a scholarship please get in touch with our Scholarships team.