2024 First Foundation Scholarships - apply by 17 March!

Webinar Monday 11th March, 7.30 pm—First Foundation Scholarship Programme. Join CATE (Career & Transition Education Association) on Monday night to learn more. 

Apologies for the lack of notice but I have just been told expressions of interest have opened and close on March 17th. Be sure to share with this families and invite them to join us on Monday night to learn more about the First Foundation programme. Click here for more information and register via this link.

The First Foundation programme is much more than a scholarship. Not only will students get financial help, but they will also have a dedicated mentor who’ll be there for them along the way—so even if they’re the first in the family to go to university, they will have support from someone who’s been there before. Plus, they will get paid work experience to grow their skills, giving them access to the professional networks most people rely on for work opportunities. 

To apply for the standard scholarships, you will need to meet these criteria:

• Have a maximum annual household income of $75,000 for 1-2 dependants OR $90,000 for 3 or more dependants. Dependants are children of the parents/caregivers in your household, who are financially dependent on their income to cover primary living costs (such as accommodation, food and educational costs).
• Be enrolled in Year 12 at a New Zealand secondary school.
• Have an overall Merit or Excellence endorsement in Level 1.
• Be a New Zealand Citizen, NZ Resident, or have refugee status.

For further information go to: eligibility criteria for standard and corporate scholarships.

Stage 1A) 19 February- 17 March: Expression of Interest

• Ākonga complete Expression of Interest via online form

Stage 1B) 18 March -7 April: Evidence Gathering

• Record of Learning
• Cover Letter
• Household Income- students will need to talk to parents/caregiver to add household income to application.

Stage 1C) 8-14 April: Financial Declaration- from parents/caregiver

• Household Income- an email link will be sent directly to parents/caregiver to complete Financial Declaration Form

Stage 1 Application Review: 12-23 April

• Unsuccessful Applications to be informed by 23rd April.
• Successful Applications automatically moved to Stage 2 and will receive email for next stage on 29 April.

Stage 2-4:

• 29 April- 19 May: Stage 2- Additional Information
• 27 May-9 June: Stage 3- Interview
• 22 July-29 September: Stage 4- Scholar Matching

At the end of each stage students will be notified by emailed if they have been successful or unsuccessful in making it to the next stage.

If you have questions contact first@firstfoundation.org.nz