Scholarships for current students

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.

Two Pasifka women looking at each other while sitting at a table

We understand that studying can be expensive and can create a barrier for some learners. Our range of scholarships give you the opportunity to undertake the learning journey you want to – no matter what your situation. So, we offer a variety of scholarships to assist our current students in many study areas.

Areas of study

Applied Management - Digital Marketing Scholarship

Who is eligible: Current second or third-year students undertaking the Bachelor of Applied Management, majoring in Sales & Marketing

Digital Squad is a marketing agency specialising in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It wants to support students who are passionate in Marketing by providing a $2,000 scholarship for someone studying the second or third year of a business degree with a Marketing major.

The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage students to learn about digital marketing and contribute their ideas to the marketing community.

Alongside meeting the eligibility criteria, applicants will need to submit an essay (2,000-2,500 words) on a specified topic relating to digital marketing strategy. Email anvesh@digitalsquad.co.nz for more information.

Foundation & Bridging - Staircasing Scholarship

Who is eligible: Graduates from specific foundation, study preparation or bridging pathway programmes (listed below) who are moving into Level 4+ vocational programmes.

Available to all students who staircase from one of the below programmes to a vocational programme at Level 4 or above: 

  • New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2)
  • New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) 
  • Bridging to beauty therapy certificate 
  • New Zealand Certificate in Whānau Ora (Level 3)
  • Te Whakamahi Whenua (Level 3)  

This Scholarship entitles the recipient to a $1500 per year reduction in course fees for a full-time, full-year programme, or $750 for a full-time, one-semester programme.

Talk to your academic leader for more information and application forms.

Neurodiverse Scholarships
In 2022 Otago Polytechnic Limited established the Neurodiverse scholarship to assist neurodiverse learners completing study at Otago Polytechnic Limited.

This scholarship is a reduction in tuition fees.

The following conditions apply:

  • ONE (1) scholarship to the value of up to $7,000 will be offered to a Neurodiverse learner.

  • The successful recipient for the scholarship will be selected via a panel consisting of staff nominated by Heads of College.

  • Applicants must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress

  • Applicants must be able to provide supporting documentation of their disability if they are not currently registered with Student Success.

  • This scholarship applies to Domestic students only.

  • The scholarship may be held concurrently with other awards/grants, subject to approval of OP.

  • Application forms will be available from the Accessibility Team (Student Success), OPSA or Customer Services.

  • Otago Polytechnic Limited reserve the right to terminate the scholarship if the recipient ceases to follow regulations of the programme of study and/or bring the reputation of Otago Polytechnic disrepute.

  • Completed Application form should be returned via email to Otago Polytechnic Limited’s Scholarship Coordinator by emailing scholarships@op.ac.nz by 3pm, Friday 4th December 2022.

Please contact Accessibility Team (Student Success), OPSA or Customer Services for information and application forms

Multiple - OneChoice Futures Grant

Who is eligible: Current students in a programme of study from the specific study areas listed below.

  • Business 
  • Finance 
  • Medicine
  • Healthcare 
  • Specialist healthcare

OneChoice is an insurance provider who know that health for families is only ever as good as the people who are providing it. And they also know that finances are a key factor for families as well as insurance products and services. So, with that in mind, they’re helping to encourage the best people into healthcare, business and finance industries by providing the OneChoice Futures Grant

The value of the grant is $5,000 and is paid as a one-off payment to the winner. 

Availability

This grant is offered annually. Applications open for the 2022 grant.

Eligibility criteria 

  1. To be eligible, you must be enrolled full-time in an accredited New Zealand Tertiary Education Institution and be studying for a certificate, diploma, degree or traineeship in any of the following areas:
    • Business – including any business related courses from any institution.
    • Finance – including actuarial, statistics, accounting and general finance courses.
    • Medicine – including medical and health sciences, surgery and medical research.
    • Healthcare – including health and fitness-related specialties, sport sciences, health services assistance and international health.
    • Specialist healthcare – including nursing, optometry, dentistry and pharmacy.
  1. Only citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand can apply.
  2. You must have reached 18 years of age to enter. 

How to apply

To apply, you’ll need to write an essay (maximum 700 words) on why you want to work in your selected industry and the difference you hope to make in your particular field of study. 

OneChoice are looking for submissions that reflect a OneChoice desire to improve the quality of people’s lives. It doesn’t have to be great prose, just honest and from the heart. 

All applicants must email the following documentation to grants@onechoice.co.nz 

  • Proof of ID
  • Proof of enrolment (including course name, tertiary institution name and enrolment status)
  • Your response
  • Contact details (including residential address)

Selection process

The winner of the grant will be selected and awarded by a panel of judges from the OneChoice Insurance Team on the basis of the entry that best grasps the essay challenge. 


Notification

The winner will be notified by email and their name will be published on the OneChoice website. 

For full terms and conditions, see here.

Multiple - Todd Foundation Awards for Excellence

Who is eligible: Current students (NZ residents) undertaking a project in the relevant study area categories (listed below).

  • Science & Technology (includes Agriculture and Conservation)
  • Engineering & Manufacturing (includes Architecture and Design)
  • Business & Commerce
  • Health & Social Sciences

To support projects that promote excellence, have a wide franchise and encourage the development of new concepts, technology or research which will benefit Aotearoa NZ. The emphasis is on projects which have a practical application.  

Several awards were offered for study at Level 7 or above with a minimum of 45 credits in four categories.

For research projects such as Masters Research. Please find out more here. 

Pasifika Students

Pasifika Scholarships

Who is eligible: All current Pasifika students.

The purpose of this scholarship is to assist Pasifika students at Otago Polytechnic who show ability and character to succeed in their field of study.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a current Otago Polytechnic student enrolled in 0.5 EFTS or more
  • identify as Pasifika
  • be a permanent resident or citizen of New Zealand

The scholarship is a fee contribution and is paid retrospectively - that is for the current year of enrolment and based on success in the current programme of study.

Related links

Postgraduate

Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa (VICTA) Scholarship

Who is eligible: Current students studying a Postgraduate Occupational Therapy programme.

In 2020 Otago Polytechnic (OP) and the Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa (VICTA) established the VICTA scholarship. The aim of this scholarship is to give postgraduate Occupational Therapy students the opportunity to pursue research projects designed to enhance the wellbeing of people with visual impairments.

Scholarship details 

  • One full fees scholarship for an Occupational Therapy postgraduate programme of up to 18 months full-time continuous study (or part-time equivalent) will be awarded at the discretion of the VICTA.
  • This is for study starting in 2022 and is available for domestic students only.
  • The scholarship may be held concurrently with other awards/grants (subject to approval of Otago Polytechnic).  
  • OP and the VICTA has the power to terminate the scholarship if the recipient ceases to follow regulations of the programme of study, fails to

2022 Intake applications are open.

How to apply 

Please complete this application form > 

  • Within this, you will need to provide evidence of your aspirations in furthering the capacity of the Occupational Therapy profession to work with people who have visual impairment. 
  • Please return your completed application form to Customer Services (Mason Centre, Otago Polytechnic Dunedin Campus) or send it to customerservices@op.ac.nz 
  • The name of the successful recipient will be advised by VICTA to Otago Polytechnic and Customer Services will notify the recipient in writing. engage in the sporting commitments as stipulated by OHA  and/or bring the reputation of the OP or the OHA into disrepute.

Any questions? 

This information sheet details the above but if you have any further questions, please email customerservices@op.ac.nz 

Professional & Personal Development

Otago Polytechnic Education Foundation Grant

Who is eligible: Current students in their final year who have the opportunity to make an impact on the world stage as part of their study and/or professional development.

The grant can cover travel costs associated with representing Otago Polytechnic abroad, or presenting research at an international conference. Applications are available from June to end of July each year. Please contact Andrea.Hessian@op.ac.nz for more information or to have an application form sent to you.

Women (she/her/they/them)

GCSB Women in STEM Scholarship

Who is eligible: Current students who identify as female, who are 18 years or older and in their second year of study (or above) and studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

See all information here and how to apply: GCSB Tertiary Scholarship.

 

New Horizons for Women Trust

Who is eligible: Current students who identify as female.

New Horizons for Women Trust: Hine Kahukura runs an annual programme of national and regional awards supporting women in Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue education and research.

The awards recognise women like you who are working to achieve outcomes in your lives and careers, not just for yourself, but for the good of your families and whanau, communities and society. Our awards have given many women the personal or professional boost they needed to keep working toward their new horizons with confidence. The awards support a diversity of women, circumstances, study and research.

2022 Applications are open.

Visit the New Horizons website for further details >

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.