2026 Toloa Scholarships for Pasifika Students
Toloa Scholarships encourage Pacific students to pursue STEM subjects, build skills, and open doors to careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.
The 2026 Toloa scholarships are now open for applications. Secondary applications close at 5pm on 23 January 2026, and tertiary applications close at 5pm on 9 February 2026. Le Va administers the scholarships and supports students and families through the process. Please share this with anyone you know who might be interested.
These scholarships support Pacific secondary and tertiary students who are passionate about studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), providing essential financial aid to help them thrive both academically and professionally.
Secondary students will receive $1,000 (excluding GST) towards their school fees, school uniforms, stationery, STEM school trips, and STEM programmes/courses organised by your school. This year’s secondary scholarships will no longer include digital devices as part of the non-monetary benefits, unlike in previous years.
Tertiary students in STEM courses can receive up to $10,000 for one year of full-time study. This may cover tuition, compulsory course-related costs, accommodation expenses for university halls, and for PhD students, research or fieldwork expenses.
Who can apply
The scholarship is only open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Pacific Islands descent.
Secondary students
To be eligible, you must:
demonstrate you are of Pacific Indigenous descent
be enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school, alternative education or verified home school
provide school reports and academic results from the past 12 months (2025 academic year)
be enrolled in at least two STEM subjects for Year 9/10 or three STEM subjects for Year 11-13 in the upcoming academic year. Evidence will be required for Year 11-13 students.
Tertiary students
Scholarships for tertiary students in 2026 are available to those who have completed at least one year of study and are continuing full-time STEM study. Students entering their second year or beyond may apply. Students in their final year, or in Year 3 of their STEM studies, can access the Government fees-free programme and therefore will not be eligible for Toloa Scholarships.
To be eligible, you must:
demonstrate you are of Pacific Indigenous descent
be enrolled full-time in your second year of study in a STEM-related programme at a New Zealand tertiary institution in 2026, and provide proof of enrolment
declare all scholarships awarded or pending for the 2026 academic year
provide academic records for the past academic year (2025) as part of their application
not be eligible for the final-year free fees scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STEM?
STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects.
The Toloa programme celebrates the rich history of Pacific peoples as navigators, explorers, innovators, and experts in STEM. These skills are valuable and open a wide range of career pathways and opportunities. Please go to the Le Va website for further information, FAQ, how to apply etc.
Toloa Community Fono
The Toloa team will be hosting two online fono to give our community the opportunity to address any questions they may have. This will be held online on Zoom on the following days and times and register via the link for each date:
Refer to the the Le Va website for further information.
How to Apply/Contact
Applications are managed by Le Va. For full eligibility criteria, guidance and to apply, visit: Toloa Scholarships or contact the Le Va team at toloa@leva.co.nz