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.
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.
Please note that you can only use one scholarship discount at a time.
Māori Students
We are currently updating the details of this scholarship and will update this webpage as soon as possible.
Who is eligible? Otago secondary school students who are recipients of the Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award.
This scholarship celebrates Rangatahi Māori who have shown leadership within their school or wider community.
One scholarship will be offered to each senior recipient of the Mana Pounamu Young Māori Achievers Award. This scholarship will cover the tuition fees of the chosen programme of study.
Process for application:
- Otago secondary schools will select the student they will nominate for this scholarship.
- Students are encouraged to speak directly with their principals, Māori Dean or Careers Advisors to ensure their name is put forward as a potential candidate for Mana Pounamu.
- The names of the nominated candidates and an application form will be submitted by the school to the Mana Pounamu committee.
- The nominated candidate attends the Mana Pounamu awards ceremony where they will be formally awarded the scholarship.
- The recipient returns the Student Acceptance form to tepunakaowheo@op.ac.nz
Mana Pounamu information and applications are sent to all Otago High Schools in Term One with key dates. The Mana Pounamu award ceremony aligns with Matariki each year.
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.
Who is eligible? Prospective and current ākonga Māori who do not have whakapapa links to the four local Rūnaka enrolled in any study programme.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees for one year of study.
All successful recipients will be paired with a Tuakana (Māori mentor) to guide them through their first year of studies.
We will be uploading the application form for 2025 in September 2024.
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:
- Te Rūnaka o Moeraki moeraki.runanga@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
- Kati Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki admin@puketeraki.nz
- Te Rūnanga ō Otākou office@tro.org.nz
- Hokonui Rūnaka hokonui.office@ngaitahu.iwi.nz
- 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.
We will be uploading the application form for 2025 in September 2024.
Pasifika Students
Who is eligible
This scholarship is for Pasifika learners studying at Otago Polytechnic who show ability and character to succeed in their field of study.
Scholarship amount
This scholarship is for a reduction in tuition fees.
Terms and conditions
The scholarships are open to students studying at Otago Polytechnic in 2024 who:
- identify as Pasifika (i.e. of Pacific Island ethnic origin), and
- are permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand, and
- reside in and study within the Dunedin City area*
- are not in receipt of any other study scholarships, and
- are enrolled in a current year Otago Polytechnic programme* of at least 0.5 EFTS (i.e. at least half a full-time programme*)
*Excludes Otago Polytechnic short courses, Capable NZ, Kokiri Training Centre and Te Taketake programmes.
Selection criteria
Selection will be based on the assessed ability of the student to meet the following:
- potential to complete their study
- success in previous study
- planning for the future.
Application process
Please complete the application form and email it to litea.ikahihifo@op.ac.nz or post it to Otago Polytechnic, Private Bag, 1910, Dunedin 9054.
Download application form here >
The closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 27 September 2024.
For more information
Please check the information sheet for more details including the selection process. If you have any questions, please email litea.ikahihifo@op.ac.nz
Who is eligible
This scholarship is split between a junior student (year 9 and 10) and a senior student (years 11-13).
Junior scholarship
One junior award will be offered to a Pasifika student at the discretion of the Principal of each secondary school in Dunedin in recognition of the learner’s achievement and commitment to the school and their Pasifika community. The recipient will be acknowledged at a Scholarship Awards Event. The recipient will also be invited with their family to a leadership brunch the week following the Scholarship Awards Event.
Download junior award info sheet and nomination form here >
Senior scholarship
One senior scholarship will be offered to a Pasifika student at the discretion of the Principal of each secondary school in Dunedin in recognition of the learner’s achievement and commitment to the school and their Pasifika community.
This scholarship entitles the recipient to a 100% reduction in course fees for a full-time, full year programme.
Download the info sheet for criteria and conditions >
Principals will select the learner who will be offered these scholarships. Learners are encouraged to advise their Principal and/or Careers Advisor of their intention to study at Otago Polytechnic to ensure that their name is provided as a potential candidate for consideration for this scholarship.
The names of the nominated candidate will be provided to Otago Polytechnic’s Director: Pasifika Achievement (litea.ikahihifo@op.ac.nz) by the School Principal.
The recipient will be acknowledged at a Scholarship Awards Event. The recipient will also be invited with their family to a leadership brunch the week following the Scholarship Awards Event.
Secondary School Students
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.
- This scholarship applies to domestic learners only.
- This scholarship entitles the recipient to a one-off payment of $2,000 as a tuition fee reduction.
Process for application:
- Otago and Southland school Principals 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 Otago Polytechnic Customer Services by the school Principal (please email scholarships@op.ac.nz )
- The nominated candidate returns the Student Acceptance form signed by both the candidate and the Principal.
- Otago Polytechnic applies discretion and confidentiality when acknowledging scholarship recipients and, when appropriate, acknowledgement of the scholarship will be sent post prize-giving events.
Information and application forms are sent to School Principals by the end of Term 2. Nominations close at the end of Term 3.
The aim of this scholarship, offered by the Zonta Club or Metropolitan Dunedin, is to encourage young women from Otago to enter a recognised trade such as, but not limited to, building, plumbing, electrical and mechanics.
Who is eligible: Year 13 female students who are intending to enrol at Otago Polytechnic a trade or apprenticeship programme.
Otago Polytechnic trade areas: Automotive, Bike Mechanics, Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Stonemasonry
Scholarship amount: $1,000
This is a merit-based scholarship. It is envisaged that it will be used for course-related costs e.g. tools or materials.
The scholarship will be awarded for the first year of the successful applicant’s study if they can provide evidence of enrolment in their chosen course.
Applications close annually on 30 September.
For more information and the application form, click here.
Women (she/her/they/them)
We are currently updating the details of this scholarship and will update this webpage as soon as possible.
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 a one-off fees reduction of $2,000.
Download this information sheet for terms and conditions, criteria for selection, what you need to do to apply and the selection process.
Download the 2025 application form to apply.
For more information contact Justine Molloy.
The aim of this scholarship, offered by the Zonta Club or Metropolitan Dunedin, is to encourage young women from Otago to enter a recognised trade such as, but not limited to, building, plumbing, electrical and mechanics.
Who is eligible: Year 13 female students who are intending to enrol at Otago Polytechnic a trade or apprenticeship programme.
Otago Polytechnic trade areas: Automotive, Bike Mechanics, Carpentry, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Stonemasonry
Scholarship amount: $1,000
This is a merit-based scholarship. It is envisaged that it will be used for course-related costs e.g. tools or materials.
The scholarship will be awarded for the first year of the successful applicant’s study if they can provide evidence of enrolment in their chosen course.
Applications close annually on 30 September.
For more information and the application form, click here.
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.
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.
